MEMOIR      OF 


"WILLIAM    "I).   STT7AUT 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OF 


H.   D.   KIRSCHMAN 


t 


r 


MEMOI R 


WILLIAM    DAVID  i  STUART. 


WITH  COPIOUS  EXTRACTS  FROM  HIS 


DIARY    AND     LETTERS. 


TOGETHER    WITH 


AN    APPENDIX. 


PHILADELPHIA-. 
PRINTED    FOR    PRIVATE    CIRCULATION*. 

1865. 


TO 

THE   BEREAVED  ONE 

WHO,  WHILE  BEARING  HER  GREAT  SORROW  WITH  FORTITUDE, 

IS  FAITHFULLY  DISCHARGING  HEtf.  DUTIES  AS 

A  CHRISTIAN, 

Volume 

IS    LOVINGLY    DEDICATED. 


TO     THE     READER. 


N  the  preparation  of  this  volume,  my  object  has 
been,  not  so  much  to  write  a  Memoir,  as  to 
make  such  a  selection  from  William's  papers 
as  would  clearly  illustrate  his  life  and  character.  I  regret 
that  the  work  has  not  fallen  into  abler  hands;  but  it  was 
the  wish  of  the  friends  immediately  interested  that  it 
should  be  prepared  by  some  one  intimately  associated 
with  the  deceased,  and  I  have  yielded  my  wishes  to 
theirs. 

His  Diary — from  which  copious  extracts  are  given — 
was  kept  sacredly  between  God  and  his  own  soul ;  while 
on  the  portions  of  his  Letters  to  M.  now  printed  other 
eyes  than  hers  were  never  expected  to  look ;  and  neither 
would  have  been  surrendered  for  publication  had  not 
their  possessor  believed  that  good  would  be  accom- 
plished by  their  perusal. 

As  the  entire  work  of  writing  and  editing  has  been 
performed  since  March  last,  in  hours  snatched  from  other 


vi  TO  THE  READER. 

employments,  there  will  be  found,  almost  necessarily, 
many  defects ;  but  I  confidently  rely  on  the  indulgence 
of  William's  kindred  and  friends,  for  whom  alone  I  have 
undertaken  the  unaccustomed  avocation  of  authorship. 
If  any  who  may  peruse  the  volume  shall  be  stimulated 
to  a  similar  life  of  holiness  and  Christian  activity,  I  shall 
feel  abundantly  rewarded  for  my  labour  of  love. 

J.  M'M. 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  1864. 


MEMOIR,        .............  ,             .........  7 

DIARY,           ........................  Si 

LETTERS  TO  M.,       ......            ........  .             ......  203 

LETTERS  TO  C.   H.  W.,          ...            ...             .........            ...  3*7 

LETTERS  TO  PHIL.,               ...           ......           .........  337 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  DR.  WYLIE,   ...  ...  ... 

ADDRESS  OF  REV.  DR.  BOARDMAN,        ...          ... 

J-RAYER  OF  REV.  DR.  BOARDMAN,  ...  ... 

ADDRESS  OF  REV.  ALBERT  BARNES  AT  THE  GRAVE, 
CHILDREN'S  GATHERING, 


353 


MEMOIR 


WILLIAM     DAVID     STUART. 


MEMOIR. 


JILLIAM  DAVID  STUART,  son  of  George 
H.  and  Martha  K.  Stuart,  was  born  on  Mon- 
day, August  10,  1840,  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia. On  the  day  of  his  birth,  the  sad 
intelligence  reached  Mr.  Stuart  of  the  death  of  his  much 
loved  brother  William.  In  memory  of  this  brother,  and 
of  his  deceased  but  honoured  father,  their  first-born  son 
was  named  WILLIAM  DAVID.  At  the  time  of  his  birth, 
and  for  a  few  weeks  after,  there  was  much  doubt  whether 
his  life  or  his  mother's  would  be  spared;  which  fact  caused 
the  mother  to  feel  a  peculiar  tenderness  for  her  child. 
This  love  was  abundantly  reciprocated  in  William's  sub- 
sequent life. 

When  he  had  reached  his  third  year,  scarlet  fever 
entered  the  household,  and  the  eldest  child,  a  little  girl 
of  five  years,  and  an  infant  son,  were  laid  in  the  grave 
within  one  week  of  each  other.  The  stricken  hearts  of 
the  parents  clung  yet  closer  to  the  little  one  that  re- 
mained— for  some  time  the  only  child — whose  prattle 
broke  the  silence  of  the  house  where  death  had  been. 
There  was  one  other  who  had  taken,  on  account  of  Mrs. 


ro  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Stuart's  feeble  health,  the  principal  charge  of  the  little 
girl,  and  who  mourned  the  loss  of  the  dear  children;  and 
when  little  Fanny  and  the  infant  George  were  hidden 
from  her  sight,  her  affections  centred  on  the  remaining 
child — her  very  soul  seemed  knit  to  him,  and  she  claime,d 
him  as  her  own.  Mrs.  Stuart  rejoiced  that  she  could 
brighten  her  mother's  declining  years  by  giving  her  son 
to  be  the  special  object  of  her  care,  and  make  her  feel 
that  there  was  still  a  precious  child  depending  upon  her. 
The  love  which  sprang  up  between  the  pious  grandmother 
and  the  boy  was  as  rare  as  it  was  beautiful.  By  day  and 
by  night,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  she  watched  over 
him.  For  years  they  met  every  morning  at  an  early 
hour,  when  she  instructed  him  in  the  Word  of  God,  and 
led  him  to  the  throne  of  grace.  And  well  has  this 
noble  Christian  woman  been  repaid  for  her  faithful  affec- 
tion. Her  desires  were  ever  regarded;  to  her  he  went 
with  his  joys  and  sorrows ;  her  chamber  was  usually  the 
first  sought  when  he  entered  his  home  ;  and  even  after  he 
attained  the  years  of  manhood  he  might  often  be  found 
seated  on  a  stool  by  her  side,  as  in  his  childish  days. 
With  the  keenest  anxiety  he  watched  her  health,  and  on 
seeing  a  slight  change  in  her  appearance,  notes  it  in  his 
journal:  "Nanna* — oh,  it  pains  me  to  say  it — is  not  as 
I  would  wish  to  see  her.  She  is  looking  very  unwell, 
and  it  makes  my  heart  bleed  at  the  very  thought  of  part- 
ing with  her;  and  that,  I  was  going  to  say,  for  ever;  but 
no,  blessed  be  God,  'the  good  shall  meet  above.' " 
Several  times  he  feared  he  would  be  called  upon  to  fol- 
low her  to  the  tomb,  and  always  spoke  of  it  with  dread. 

*  A  name  given  by  William  to  his  grandmother  Denison,  when  learning  to 
talk,  and  by  which  she  is  known  in  the  family  to  this  day. 


EARLY  DAYS.  u 

Little  did  he  think  that  she  would  sit  beside  him  in  his 
last  hours  in  perfect  health,  though  advanced  in  life, 
having  all  her  hopes  in  heaven,  and  longing  to  depart ; 
while  he,  just  in  the  dawn  of  manhood,  with  everything 
to  render  life  desirable,  was  praying  that  if  it  were  God's 
will  his  life  might  be  spared.  Truly,  mysterious  are  the 
ways  of  the  Almighty ! 

He  grew  into  boyhood.  At  this  period  of  his  life  his 
lovely  disposition  and  personal  beauty  seem  to  have  made 
a  deep  impression  upon  those  who  saw  him.  Impulsive 
and  ardent  in  temperament,  whatever  he  undertook, 
whether  study,  work,  or  play,  was  prosecuted  with  zeal 
and  perseverance.  He  grew  up  to  manhood  retaining 
these  characteristics,  mentally  and  physically,  a  noble 
specimen  of  a  young  man.  He  possessed  a  fine  figure; 
was  over  six  feet  in  height,  and  was  remarked  by  all  for 
his  manliness  of  bearing. 

At  a  very  early  age  he  entered  the  infant  class  in  the 
Sabbath  School  of  the  First  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church.  Passing  rapidly  up  through  the  various  grada- 
tions, he  entered  the  Bible  class  as  a  pupil  \  and  when 
less  than  fifteen  years  of  age  he  became  a  teacher  in  the 
same  school.  On  December  5,  1856,  when  a  little  over 
sixteen  years  of  age,  he  was  admitted  a  member  of  the 
Church  on  profession  of  his  faith. 

In  childhood  he  had  a  severe  attack  of  scarlet  fever, 
which  impaired  his  hearing  to  some  degree  ever  after,  the 
tympanum  of  one  ear  having  been  destroyed.  At  times, 
when  entirely  free  from  cold,  this  was  scarcely  notice- 
able, but  often  proved  a  serious  inconvenience,  and  de- 
prived him  of  much  enjoyment.  Twice  during  this 
period  of  his  life  he  was  taken  to  Europe,  and  placed 


12  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

under  the  treatment  of  a  celebrated  London  aurist,  who, 
however,  gave  him  only  temporary  relief.  The  scenes 
and  events  of  these  visits  made  so  deep  an  impression 
on  him,  that  years  afterwards,  on  going  again  to  Europe, 
he  recognized  places/  and  inquired  for  people  of  whom 
he  had  since  heard  nothing,  and  would  even  refer  to  con- 
versations remembered  from  that  early  period. 

His  powers  of  observation  were  remarkable,  and  en- 
abled him,  without  being  conscious  of  having  paid  any 
special  attention,  to  take  in  everything  before  him  at  a 
glance ;  and  much  amusement  did  this  faculty  sometimes 
afford  his  friends.  Often  when  something  had  been 
sportively  said  in  his  presence  in  an  under-tone,  which  he 
was  not  supposed  to  hear,  he  would  by  a  smile,  or 
laughter,  show  that  he  had  comprehended  the  whole, 
literally  without  catching  a  word.  No  doubt  the  defect 
in  his  hearing  led  him  to  observe  manners  and  motions 
closely,  and  this  atoned  not  a  little  for  the  loss  of  sounds. 

In  youth,  as  in  manhood,  he  was  a  general  favourite. 
While  fond  of  boyish  sports  and  games,  in  some  of  which 
he  excelled,  he  did  not  neglect  his  studies;  and  in  those 
branches  in  which  he  took  a  special  interest  he  was 
always  among  the  foremost  of  his  class.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  directed  by.J.  W.  Faires,  D.D.,  who  has  kindly 
furnished  for  this  volume  the  following  letter,  indicating 
his  character  during  his  school-boy  days : — 

"T    M'\T  "  PHILADELPHIA,  yi' *8,  1864. 

"  DEAR  SIR, — It  might  be  supposed  that  having  had  charge 
of  the  education  of  William  D.  Stuart  during  so  many  years,  I 
should  be  able  to  record  many  incidents  illustrative  of  his  charac- 
ter. But  unfortunately  this  is  not  in  my  power.  The  daily  routine 
of  the  school-room  is  seldom  diversified  by  any  occurrence  suffi- 


GENERAL  CHARACTER.  13 

ciently  extraordinary  to  make  a  lasting  impression  upon  the  mind 
of  the  teacher.  What  follows  is,  therefore,  only  a  very  imperfect 
sketch  of  his  general  character. 

"  William  D.  Stuart  was  a  boy  of  great  liveliness  of  temperament, 
to  whom  it  was  impossible  to  continue  quiet  any  long  time.  He 
was  filled  to  overflowing  with  the  spirit  of  fun.  His  sense  of  the 
ludicrous  was  keen.  His  transitions  from  one  emotion  to  another 
were  frequent  and  rapid,  joy  and  laughter  quickly  succeeding  sorrow 
and  tears.  He  was  kind-hearted,  social,  generous,  and  obliging, 
quick  to  resent,  and  equally  quick  to  forgive  an  injury. 

"  His  talents  were  of  a  superior  order.  His  perceptive  powers 
were  quick.  He  acquired  with  great  rapidity  whatever  he  attempted 
to  study.  He  had  a  memory  both  retentive  and  ready,  and  was 
gifted  with  uncommon  fluency.  It  gave  him  no  trouble  to  express 
his  thoughts  either  by  speech  or  writing.  He  had  little  taste  for 
mathematics,  but  excelled  in  classics.  His  appreciation  of  the 
classic  authors,  the  elegance  of  his  translations,  and  the  natural- 
ness and  correctness  of  his  original  compositions,  indicated  that  he 
was  well  qualified  to  attain  to  excellence  in  literature.  His  morals 
were  pure,  and,  no  doubt,  the  religious  character  which  he  sus- 
tained before  he  left  college  was  in  process  of  formation  while  he 
was  at  school.  I  often  thought  what  a  bright  Christian  he  would 
make,  if  his  heart  should  be  brought  under  the  influence  of  divine 
grace.  He  was  honourable,  truthful,  obedient,  submissive  to  dis- 
cipline, and  affectionate  toward  his  companions  and  instructors : 
while  too  many  boys  arc  disposed  to  treat  their  teachers  as  their 
natural  enemies,  he  appeared  while  at  school,  and  ever  afterwards, 
to  regard  his  teachers  as  his  friends.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add, 
that  his  amiable  qualities  endeared  him  to  myself,  and  that  holding 
him  in  high  esteem,  viewing  with  deep  interest  the  unfolding  of 
his  beautiful  character,  and  entertaining  high  hopes  of  the  useful- 
ness and  brilliance  of  his  future  career,  I  deplored  most  sincerely 
the  early  death  which  snatched  him  from  the  world. 

"  William  D.  Stuart  entered  my  school  August  30,  1847,  when  he 
was  between  seven  and  eight  years  of  age,  and  continued  under  my 
care  until  he  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  June  28,1855. 

—I  remain  yours  very  respectfully, 

"J.  W.  FAIRES." 


14  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

He  was  assisted  in  his  preparation  for  college  by  Dr. 
Labberton,  and  after  going  regularly  through  the  pre- 
scribed University  curriculum,  graduated  creditably  in  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  July  i,  1859. 

In  Dr.  Labberton,  to  whom  he  became  warmly  at- 
tached, he  enjoyed  the  instructions  of  a  gentleman  of 
remarkable  gifts  and  accomplishments.  Earnest  and 
enthusiastic  himself,  he  soon  kindled  in  the  mind  of  his 
pupil  an  eager  love  of  knowledge,  and  stimulated  him  to 
exertion.  William's  proficiency  in  History  and  his  love 
for  the  Microscope  were  greatly,  if  not  entirely,  owing 
to  Dr.  Labberton's  instructions. 

Though  he  was  a  hard  student,  with  a  genuine  love 
for  learning,  yet  in  his  college  studies  he  cannot  be  said 
to  have  been  wholly  methodical  and  regular,  being  in- 
clined sometimes  to  pursue,  to  the  detriment  of  certain 
branches,  others  that  especially  interested  him.  Of  these 
he  would  take  up  one  at  a  time,  reading  all  that  he  could 
find  upon  it,  and  then  turn  to  something  else.  He  was, 
too,  very  fond  of  general  reading,  and  making  experi- 
ments of  various  kinds,  and  would  frequently  amuse  him- 
self in  this  way  until  nine  or  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
when  he  would  take  up  his  college  studies,  and  work 
night  after  night  until  one,  two,  and  even  three  in  the 
morning.  This  impaired  his  health,  and  so  injured  his 
eyes  that  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  complete  his  last 
year  at  the  University.  Immediately  after  graduating, 
he  took  a  trip  to  Minnesota  for  a  little  relaxation. 

In  all  the  natural  sciences  he  took  great  delight.  These 
seemed  more  accordant  with  the  natural  bent  of  his  mind, 
and  besides,  had  for  him  special  attraction,  as  leading  to 
the  Creator.  In  astronomy,  chemistry,  botany,  mineral- 
ogy, and  particularly  in  entomology,  he  had  made  large 


LOVE  OFNATURE.  15 

attainments.  Often  has  the  writer,  when  strolling  with 
him  in  the  country,  been  charmed  and  instructed  with  his 
lucid  discourse  upon  the  beauties  of  the  common  flowers 
of  the  garden,  dissecting  them  the  while  ;  or  catching  a 
tiny  insect,  he  would  with  great  enthusiasm  show,  with 
his  pocket  microscope,  its  beauties  and  perfections  as 
coming  from  the  hand  of  God.  This  love  of  nature  and 
natural  objects  increased  with  his  years,  and  manifested 
itself  in  his  travels  by  his  preference  for  Scotland  and 
Switzerland  above  other  countries.  He  read  much  con- 
cerning them,  the  latter  particularly.  The  works  of  the 
Alpine  Club,  and  accounts  of  all  the  expeditions  he  could 
find,  together  with  various  treatises  on  the  formation  of 
glaciers,  he  read  with  great  avidity,  and  became  familiar 
with  the  paths  and  passes  even  of  those  he  had  not 
seen. 

He  had  collected  a  .large  and  valuable  cabinet  of 
minerals,  and  a  small  but  choice  collection  of  coins. 
He  had  also  a  microscope,  one  of  the  best  ever  imported 
into  this  country,  with  a  large  number  of  exquisite  pre- 
parations, collected  chiefly  in  Europe.  In  the  use  of  this 
instrument  he  would  spend  days  together  in  prosecuting 
his  favourite  study  of  entomology.  He  prepared  several 
lectures  on  "  The  Microscope  and  its  Revelations,"  with 
other  scientific  subjects,  which  he  delivered  from  time  to 
time  for  the  benefit  of  Sabbath  schools  and  kindred 
objects.  In  a  literary  as  well  as  scientific  point  of  viexv, 
these  lectures  on  the  microscope  are  perhaps  superior  to 
anything  he  has  written.  Of  the  lectures,  essays,  tracts 
and  speeches  which  he  has  left  among  his  papers, 
Christianity  and  the  God  of  nature  form  the  substratum. 
As  a  specimen,  we  subjoin  an  extract  from  the  intro- 
duction to  one  of  his  lectures  on  the  microscope : — 

2 


1 6  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

"  Do  not  despise  small  things,  and  turn  jeeringly  away, 
because,  perhaps,  a  drop  of  muddy  water  may  be  our 
.  study. 

"  The  perfection  of  this  instrument  is  but  recent,  and 
we  are  yet,  with  all  the  grand  discoveries,  but  in  the 
outer  court  of  this  temple  of  nature,  inhabited  by  Divinity 
himself.  Forty  years  ago  the  microscope  was  a  mere 
toy,  and  no  one  ever  dreamed  that  it  could  be  improved. 
Though  for  two  centuries  it  had  been  in  the  hands  of  the 
most  gifted  students  of  nature,  their  progress  had  been 
but  slow  and  unsatisfactory;  while  over  the  inner  gate  of 
the  temple  there  seemed  to  be  written,  in  undying  and 
unchangeable  characters,  '  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  and 
no  further.'  But  after  a  lapse  of  years,  how  changed  the 
scene !  Now  we  can  behold  the  wisdom  and  goodness 
of  the  Creator  displayed  in  the  smallest  objects  of  his 
workmanship.  Here  we  are  confronted  with  overwhelm- 
ing evidence  of  the  being  and  perfection  of  Him  who  is 
the  omnipotent,  omniscient,  and  omnipresent  God,  none 
of  whose  creatures  are  beneath  his  care.  It  has  well  been 
said  by  the  infidel  Rousseau,  '  If  the  Author  of  nature  is 
great  in  great  things,  he  is  exceeding  great  in  small  ones.' 

"  This  world  is  a  world  of  life — in  the  air  we  breathe, 
in  the  water  we  drink,  in  the  ground  on  which  we  tread. 
Life  is  hurried  on  by  the  whirlwind,  or  borne  on  the 
wings  of  the  summer  breeze.  It  is  in  the  blushing  rose, 
or  hid  beneath  the  poison  vine,  lurking  in  the  damp, 
dark  shade  of  the  wood.  We  see  it  in  the  mountain 
rivulet,  the  emblem  of  purity  and  joy,  as  it  dances  gaily 
along;  and  we  find  it  in  the  stagnant  pool,  from  whose 
turbid  waters  disease  insidiously  spreads.  It  is  found  on 
the  banks  of  the  noble  river,  and  far  down  in  ocean's 


RELIGIOUS  TRAINING.  17 

dark  and  silent  bed.  Eternal  snows  and  burning  sun 
alike  affect  it  not.  All  the  forces  of  nature  conspire  to 
produce  it.  Every  pore  is  bursting  into  life;  every  death 
is  only  a  new  birth — every  grave  a  cradle.  And  of  all 
this  universal,  all-pervading  life  we  know  but  little,  and 
think  less.  Why  should  we  thus  disregard  this  invisible 
creation?  The  same  life  that  animates  us  animates 
them ;  we  all  come  from  the  hand  of  the  same  Creator, 
and  all  are  parts  of  one  transcendent  whole!  Think  of 
this,  and  I  am  sure  you  will  look  at  nature  with  more 
interest  and  love,  remembering,  as  we  must,  that  they,  as 
well  as  we,  are  links  in  that  living  chain  whose  beginning 
is  God,  whose  end  is  the  lowest  of  his  creation." 

While  pursuing  his  college  studies  he  was  systematic, 
at  home  and  abroad,  in  reading  and  studying  the  Scrip- 
tures, as  well  as  other  religious  books,  especially  those  on 
practical  religion.  His  home  training  had  indoctrinated 
him  in  the  faith  of  Presbyterianism ;  and  from  his  revered 
pastor,  Dr.  T.  W.  J.  Wylie,  a  profound  theologian,  he 
had  acquired  a  vast  fund  of  sound  biblical  and  doctrinal 
knowledge.  During  this  period  of  college  life  he  united 
with  the  Church,  founded  his  mission  school,  and  in 
many  ways  laboured  earnestly  in  the  cause  of  his  Divine 
Master.  Yet  his  Diary  and  Letters  frequently  exhibit 
him  as  mourning  the  hiding  of  God's  countenance.  When, 
however,  the  cloud  lifted  from  between  his  Saviour's  face 
and  his  own  soul  the  rapture  he  experienced  was  be- 
yond description. 

Robert  Hall  says,  that  "  The  light  and  insinuations  of 
the  Divine  Spirit  so  often  accompany  the  conduct  of 
a  strictly  religious  education,  that  some  of  the  most 


1 8  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

eminent  Christians  have  acknowledged  themselves  at  a 
loss  to  assign  the  precise  era  of  their  conversion."  So  it 
seems  to  have  been  with  the  subject  of  our  Memoir. 
His  early  consecration  to  his  Master's  service  may,  with- 
out doubt,  be  traced  to  his  surroundings  and  training. 
Made  to  feel  from  infancy,  by  the  power  of  example,  that 
religion  is  the  chief  concern  of  life — seeing  always  zeal  and 
energetic  action  where  Divine  things  were  concerned,  and 
enjoying  companionship  with  godly  men  visiting  almost 
constantly  at  his  father's  house : — under  these  influences, 
even  as  a  boy,  and  prior  to  his  connection  with  the 
Church,  he  "went  about  doing  good"  among  his  fellows. 

He  was  eminently  prayerful,  and  spent  much  time  in 
the  privacy  of  his  chamber,  pleading  with  God  for  him- 
self and  those  he  loved.  Nor  were  his  prayers  confined  to 
stated  seasons  or  the  quiet  of  his  closet,  but  at  all  times, 
whether  taking  a  solitary  walk  or  in  company  surrounded 
by  the  gay  and  thoughtless,  we  have  evidence  that  his 
spirit  held  frequent  communion  with  the  heavenly  world. 

While  his  joyous  laugh,  his  fund  of  anecdote,  his  keen 
relish  for  wit  and  pleasantry,  his  readiness  to  participate 
in  sport,  his  acute  perception  of  the  ridiculous,  combined 
with  excellent  imitative  powers,  made  him  a  most  cheer- 
ful companion,  there  was  a  seriousness,  a  spirituality,  the 
depth  of  which  only  one  heart  fully  understood.  All 
who  knew  him  were  impressed  with  the  clearness  of  his 
views  of  truth,  and  the  robustness  of  religious  character 
so  beautifully  developed  in  one  so  young ;  all  could 
testify  to  his  goodness,  his  earnestness  in  the  cause  of 
his  Master;  and  all  felt  that  he  had  consecrated  himself 
wholly  to  God.  Yet  there  was  an  inner  life,  an  almost 
constant  soaring  of  the  soul  heavenward,  a  yearning  for 


MISSION  SCIfdOL.  19 

the  fulness  of  Christ's  spirit,  which  was  totally  unsus- 
pected by  those  around  him. 

For  the  Sabbath  his  reverence,  always  profound,  in- 
creased as  his  character  developed.  He  once  wrote  to 
a  friend, — 

"  I  have  often  thought  that  if  they  who  seek  to  do 
away  with  the  Sabbath  could  enjoy  it  but  once  as  I  do, 
they  would  count  it  one  of  their  choicest  and  dearest 
blessings." 

Just  one  year  after  making  a  profession  of  religion,  his 
preparations  were  completed  for  the  realization  of  his 
darling  plan — a  mission  school  for  the  neglected  and  de- 
graded coloured  population  of  the  city ;  and  on  Sabbath, 
December  6,  1857,  with  solemn  religious  services,  it  was 
formally  opened  for  the  reception  of  pupils.  The  first 
entry  in  his  minute-book,  made  by  this  lad  of  but  seven- 
teen years,  was  in  these  words : — 

"  This  morning,  in  the  midst  of  a  pouring  rain,  we 
opened  our  coloured  mission  school,  with  twenty  chil- 
dren; which  was  highly  gratifying.  May  God  bless  and 
prosper  us" 

The  school  v/as  in  connection  with  the  church  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  and  still  remains  so.  William  had  only 
two  male  teachers  with  him,  pledged  to  the  work,  at  the 
organization ;  but  the  subsequent  history  of  the  enterprise 
shows  that  God  did  abundantly  bless  and  prosper  his 
labours.  He  was  its  faithful  and  devoted  superintendent 
until  death  took  him  from  all  his  earthly  cares. 


20  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

In  connection  with  the  school  a  prayer-meeting  was 
also  established  for  adults,  to  be  held  on  Sabbath  and 
Wednesday  evenings.  On  the  first  evening  about  forty 
persons  were  present;  and  on  almost  every  occasion 
afterwards  the  attendance  was  limited  only  by  the  capa- 
city of  the  apartment.  The  school  was  commenced  in  a 
little  room  near  the  corner  of  Thirteenth  and  Carpenter 
Streets,  which  soon  proved  too  small,  and  it  was  then 
held  in  a  larger  one,  over  a  tavern  in  the  neighbourhood. 
This  again  becoming  too  strait,  it  was  finally  removed  to 
the  basement  of  a  church  in  St.  Mary's  Street,  between 
Sixth  and  Seventh,  on  the  ground  formerly  occupied  by 
the  church  in  which  the  Rev.  Samuel  B.  Wylie,  D.D., 
first  preached  in  Philadelphia. 

In  addition  to  superintending  the  school  twice  on  the 
Sabbath  and  conducting  his  Sabbath  and  Wednesday 
evening  prayer-meetings,  he  usually  devoted  two  after- 
noons in  the  week  to  visiting  the  wretched  inhabitants 
of  the  neighbourhood,  to  relieve  their  wants,  to  pray  with 
the  sick  and  dying,  and  to  gather  the  children  into  the 
school.  Sometimes  one  of  his  young  Christian  friends 
accompanied  him,  but  in  most  cases  he  visited  alone. 
In  his  record — for  he  kept  a  pocket-diary  in  which  he 
noted  nearly  everything  connected  with  this  mission — 
there  is  an  amazing  amount  of  true  Christian  heroism 
displayed  in  overcoming  the  difficulties  and  removing  the 
obstacles  which  constantly  beset  him,  arising  for  the  most 
part  from  the  vice,  the  ignorance,  and  the  squalid  poverty 
of  the  population  he  wished  to  benefit.  Amid  all  this 
misery  and  degradation,  however,  he  was  made  happy  by 
the  consciousness  of  being  assisted  by  Divine  power  in 
the  discharge  of  duty.  In  thus  feeding  the  hungry,  cloth- 


VISITATION  OF  THE  SICK.  21 

ing  the  naked,  and  ministering  to  their  spiritual  necessities, 
William  became  universally  known  and  respected  among 
the  people,  so  that  no  insult  or  indignity  was  ever 
offered  him  by  any  of  the  desperadoes  who  inhabit  a 
portion  of  this  scene  of  his  labours :  not  only  so,  when 
distress  or  disease  came  upon  them,  or  death  threatened, 
he  was  frequently  sent  for;  and  night  or  day,  rain  or  sun- 
shine, cheerfully  responded.  It  is  not  improbable  that 
the  exposure  to  which  he  was  thus  subjected  may  have 
contributed  not  a  little  to  hasten  his  death. 

An  extract  or  two  from  his  Diary  will  illustrate  the 

nature  of  his  work.    He  was  sent  for  to  visit  D P , 

long  a  godless  man,  but  now  anxious  about  his  soul — ill, 
perhaps  on  a  dying  bed,  with  a  family  around  him.  After 
a  series  of  visits,  the  sick  man  is  made  to  understand 
something  of  the  nature  of  true  repentance,  and  of  the 
mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  in  providing  salvation  for 
guilty  sinners.  William  writes,  April  8,  1860: — 

"Visited  P .     Found  him  in  bed,  and  suffering 

much  pain.  Not  so  well  as  when  I  last  saw  him.  Poor 
fellow,  I  fear  he  will  not  last  long.  He  is  suffering 
from  the  inhalation  of  the  effluvia  consequent  on  night 
work.  He  seems  much  happier,  and  is  willing  to  die,  if 
God  sees  fit  to  call  him  away,  although  he  often  exclaims, 
'  My  poor  family,  what  will  become  of  them  1 '  Read  to 
him  Christ's  conversation  with  Nicodemus,  and  prayed. 
He  Avas  deeply  interested,  and  when  about  to  leave  him 
he  held  my  hand  long  and  warmly.  Gave  him  to  think 
about  the  text,  '  He  that  believeth  on  me  shall  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.'  I  trust,  and  con- 
fidently hope,  that  he  has  found  Christ." 


22  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Again : — 

"April  22. — As  I  feared,  P 's  illness  terminated 

fatally.  He  breathed  his  last  on  the  morning  of  Tuesday, 
1 7th,  at  half-past  ten  o'clock.  All  night  long  he  was 
engaged  in  singing  and  prayer,  even  after  the  family  had 
retired.  His  confidence  in  God  remained  firm  and  stead- 
fast unto  the  ^nd ;  and  when  he  passed  away  from 
earth,  it  was  but  to  enter  heaven.  This  afternoon,  at 
half-past  five  o'clock,  I  went  to  the  house,  and  there 
being  no  clergyman  present,  took  charge  of  the  funeral 
services.  We  began  by  singing  that  beautiful  hymn 
commencing,  'Why  should  we  start  and  fear  to  die1?' 
after  which  I  read  selected  portions  of  Scripture,  includ- 
ing those  solemn  and  appropriate  passages  in  Job  iii., 
iv.,  xix. ;  Psalms  xc.  and  ciii. ;  i  Cor.  xv. ;  and  Rev.  xxii. 
I  then  addressed  those  present  at  some  length,  en- 
deavouring to  point  them  beyond  the  grave,  referring 
more  particularly  to  the  words,  '  He,  being  dead,  yet 
speaketh.'  It  was  a  solemn  meeting,  and  all  seemed 
deeply  interested." 

What  but  the  grace  of  God  could  have  moved  to  such 
severe  and  self-denying  labours'?  He  had  no  mean  or 
selfish  ends  to  subserve, — no  earthly  inducements  to 
enter  this  trying  and  in  some  respects  repulsive  sphere 
of  usefulness.  Delicately  nurtured,  thoroughly  educated, 
possessing  fine  conversational  talents  and  an  unusually 
attractive  person,  accustomed  to  all  the  amenities  of 
cultivated  and  refined  life,  with  a  keen  relish  for  the 
beautiful  and  the  good,  and  with  brilliant  earthly  pros- 
pects,— nothing  but  the  constraining  love  of  Jesus  could 
have  induced  him  to  descend  to  these  lowest  places  of 


HIS  LAST  LETTER.  23 

the  earth.  But  all  these  labours  were  only  incidental  to 
his  great  work  of  caring  for  the  young  of  this  degraded 
class,  and  gathering  them  into  his  school.  On  the 
perusal  of  his  Diary  and  Letters,  the  reader  will  see  how 
constantly  this  school  was  upon  his  heart,  and  how 
regularly  he  made  it  the  subject  of  earnest  prayer  to 
God.  When  very  sick,  and  prostrated  by  fatigue  on  his 
way  to  Santa  Cruz,  at  an  hour  of  the  night  when  he 
should  have  been  taking  rest,  he  wrote  a  touching  letter 
to  his  charge,  which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix, 
incorporated  in  Dr.  Faires'  Address  to  the  Mission  Schools. 
After  his  return  from  Santa  Cruz,  while  confined  to  his 
room,  the  following  note — the  last  he  ever  penned — was 
written  to  the  acting  superintendent : — 

"  1313  SPRUCE  STREET, 
"  Saturday  evening,  March  21,  1863. 

"  DEAR  FRIEND  W. — To-morrow  afternoon  the  school 
will  be  visited  by  my  father  in  company  with  a  very 
particular  friend  of  mine  from  Edinburgh — Mr.  Thomas 
Nelson.  I  would  like  you  to  ask  the  teachers  to  visit  a 
little,  so  as  to  ensure  full  classes  and  punctual  attendance. 

"  Give  my  love  to  all  the  school :  tell  them  they  are  ever 
in  my  thoughts  by  day,  and  through  the  waking  hours  of 
the  night.  My  health  is  still  very  poor — my  cough  very 
painful  at  times ;  still  I  think  I  am  improving.  Should 
Mr.  Nelson  wish  to  visit  any  of  the  homes  of  the  children, 
you  might  show  him  a  few  of  the  dens  in  Green's  Court. 

"  This  will  greatly  oblige  yours  truly, 

"  WILLIAM  D.  STUART." 

In  the  religious  life  of  his  friends  nothing  seemed  to 
escape  him.  If  they  were  in  a  state  of  carelessness,  he 


24  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

gently  warned  them,  always  praying  for  them.  If 
awakened  to  their  danger,  he  kindly  showed  them,  and 
with  remarkable  clearness,  the  way  of  life.  If  they  were 
rejoicing  in  a  newly  found  Saviour,  he  rejoiced  with  them, 
thanking  God  that  another  soul  had  found  its  way  through 
the  labyrinths  of  sin  to  its  Redeemer. 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  a  young  lady  of 
Philadelphia,  one  of  his  early  friends ; — 

"  1313  SPRUCE  STREET, 
"  Wednesday  night,  March  — ,  1859. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND  C. — It  was  with  feelings  of  no 
ordinary  pleasure  that  I  learned  of  your  intention  to 
devote  yourself  to  God — giving  yourself  away  to  him 
in  a  solemn  covenant  engagement.  My  intention  was 
to  have  spoken  with  you  on  the  subject,  but  I  have  been 
prevented,  and  as  I  shall  not  probably  see  you  until  after 
the  Sabbath,  I  will  endeavour  to  express  my  thoughts 
in  the  form  of  a  letter. 

"  The  step  which  you  are  about  to  take  is  one  of  deep 
importance  and  solemnity.  It  is  a  step  which,  if  properly 
taken,  will  decide  your  position  and  destiny,  not  for  time 
only,  but  for  eternity.  Now  is  the  time  when  Satan  will 
attack  your  weakest  points  with  his  most  subtile  darts. 
His  attacks  will  be  desperate,  and  could  you  only  look  to 
yourself  for  succour,  you  might  indeed  be  dismayed ;  but 
look  above  and  hear  your  heavenly  Father's  voice  saying, 
'  Fear  not,  for  I  am  with  thee.' 

"  You  have  done  well  in  obeying  your  Saviour's  sum- 
mons to  meet  him  at  his  table  to  commemorate  his  dying 
love :  it  is  in  remembrance  of  him ;  to  testify  to  him  that 
though  absent  from  us  in  person,  he  is  yet  cherished 
in  our  minds.  Who  can  ever  forget  such  a  Friend — one 


LETTER  TO  MISS  C .  25 

who  laid  down  his  life  that  we  might  be  saved1?  Re- 
member that  in  this  solemn  compact  we  bind  our  souls 
» by  a  sacred  bond ;  we  surrender  ourselves,  soul  and  body, 
to  be  the  Lord's  for  time  and  for  eternity — striving  ever 
to  adorn  OUT  profession  by  a  life  and  conversation 
becoming  the  gospel. 

"  But  before  we  come  to  this  ordinance  we  must  first 
come  to  Christ  himself.  Alas !  how  many  are  there  who, 
while  they  make  a  very  near  approach  to  God  in  their 
bodies,  their  souls  are  far  from  him,  and  who  by  their 
daily  actions  bring  dishonour  and  shame  upon  the  cross 
of  Christ ! 

"  Before  partaking  of  this  holy  ordinance  a  strict  self- 
examination  is  enjoined.  '  Let  a  man  examine  himself/ 
said  Paul  to  the  Corinthians.  Look  into  the  deep 
recesses  of  your  heart,  and  see  what  were  the  motives 
that  prompted  you  to  such  a  course.  And  you  might 
with  propriety  ask  me,  '  What  is  the  standard  by  which 
I  shall  examine  myself?'  The  Word  of  God  is  the 
standard — just  and  true.  Were  we  required  to  fulfil 
strictly  all  the  requirements  of  that  law,  we  might  well 
shrink  back;  but  the  best  coin  is  alloyed,  and  with  us 
the  great  questions  are,  '  Is  love  to  God  and  the  interests 
of  Christ's  kingdom  the  predominant,  prevailing  interest 
in  my  soul  1  Do  I  love  God,  and  hate  sin  with  a  perfect 
hatred  ]  Is  it  the  honest  and  sincere  determination  of 
my  heart  from  this  time  henceforth  to  serve  the  Lord  V 
Examine  yourself  carefully,  for  conscience  will  not  be 
deceived.  This  is  no  small  matter.  Upon  it  hangs  the 
destiny  of  your  immortal  soul.  The  world  may  be 
deceived,  but  God  cannot.  The  world  calls  many 
Christians  of  whom  it  shall  be  said,  '  I  never  knew  you.' 


26  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

With  what  care  and  inquiry  should  we  ask  the  question, 
'  Lord,  is  it  I?'  It  is,  then,  necessary  that  our  hearts  and 
affections  should  be  turned  into  a  new  channel.  Is  such 
your  condition?  Is  Jesus  to  you  'the  chief  among  ten 
thousand,  and  altogether  lovely?'  Does  your  heart  burn 
within  you  as  you  think  of  his  matchless  love?  And  do 
you  delight  in  the  ordinances  of  his  house?  If  so,  then 
indeed  it  is  well  with  you, — well  for  time,  better  for 
eternity. 

"  And  now,  C ,  in  reading  over  what  I  have  told 

you  as  a  few  of  the  requisites  to  a  proper  performance  of 
this  solemn  act,  you  might  say,  as  I  did,  '  I  can  never 
come  up  to  this  standard  of  requirements,  and  therefore 
am  not  fit  to  approach  the  table  of  the  Lord.'  Not  so. 
Of  yourself  you  can  do  nothing,  but  in  the  strength  of 
promised  grace  you  can  do  all.  Your  heavenly  Father 
met  your  necessity  when  he  said,  '  My  grace  is  sufficient 
for  thee.'  And  how  is  this  grace  to  be  obtained  1  By 
earnest,  heartfelt  prayer.  Ah  !  there  is  the  key  that 
unlocks  the  treasure-house  of  Divine  mercy.  Who  knows, 
who  can  estimate  the  power  of  prayer?  The  voice  of 
Demosthenes  opened  the  heart  of  the  people  of  Athens  : 
but  the  prayer  of  the  humble  believer  opens  the  door  of 
heaven,  and  brings  down  unnumbered  mercies.  He 
who  is  constant  in  prayer  is  like  the  tree  whose  roots 
are  cooled  by  the  running  stream,  and  thus  remain  fresh 
and  green  while  all  around  it  has  dried  up  and  withered. 

"  If  you  would  be  a  true  follower  of  the  meek  and 
lowly  Jesus,  you  must  pray  not  only  at  stated  times,  but 
often.  Prayer  is  the  life-blood  of  the  Christian  :  take  it 
from  him,  and  he  dies.  The  reason  why  we  of  the  pre- 
sent day  have  not  the  devotion  and  zeal,  and  do  not 


LETTER  TO  MISS  C .  27 

receive  the  blessings  that  were  bestowed  upon  those  of 
former  times,  is  simply  because  we  do  not  pray  as  they 
did.  Luther  spent  several  hours  daily  in  prayer.  No 
wonder,  then,  that  he  possessed  a  faith  unshaken  by 
popish  prelates  or  the  fear  of  death. 

"  Spend,  then,  much  of  your  time  before  going  to  the 
sanctuary  in  secret  prayer,  that  God  would  show  you  the 
path  of  duty,  and  lead  you  in  it.  Make  the  Bible  your 
daily  study  and  guide-book.  Let  your  soul  be  daily 
nourished  with  its  precious  truths.  Let  your  thoughts 
dwell  much  on  the  things  of  eternity.  Remember  the 
solemnity  of  the  step  you  are  taking ;  and  when  at  last 
you  shall  be  seated  at  a  communion  table,  and  have 
received  the  emblems  of  a  dying  Saviour's  love,  then 
commit  yourself  to  his  keeping,  trusting  in  him,  and  him 
only — feeling  safe  in  him  as  a  faithful  Redeemer,  who 
will  present  you  in  the  great  day  pure  and  spotless  before 
his  Father's  throne. 

*  *  *  ff  * 

"  May  God's  richest  blessing  descend  upon  you,  guid- 
ing you  now  and  ever  in  the  path  of  duty.  May  you 
have  grace  given  you  to  live  a  consistent  Christian  life, 
an  honour  to  the  Church,  and  a  blessing  to  those  with 
whom  you  are  associated.  May  all  earthly  blessings  be 
yours ;  and  at  last  may  you  have  a  joyful  entrance  into 
those  mansions  of  peace  'where  the  wicked  cease  from 
troubling  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.' 

"  That  these  may  be  yours  is  the  prayer  of  yours  truly, 

"  WM.  D.  STUART." 

The  large  and  well-selected  library  which  he  has  left 
bears  evidence  of  his  good  taste  and  judgment.  In  addi- 


28  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

tion  to  a  liberal  supply  of  works  on  theology  and  science, 
the  departments  of  history,  poetry,  Belles-lettres  and  the 
fine  arts  are  fully  and  judiciously  represented.  He  read 
rapidly,  yet  understandingly  and  with  system,  generally 
making  notes  as  he  progressed.  He  avoided,  and  indeed 
loathed,  the  pernicious  "yellow-covered"  literature  of  the 
day,  but  occasionally  indulged  in  well-written  works  of 
fiction,  by  way  of  mental  recreation.  Possessing  a  dis- 
criminating mind  and  retentive  memory,  he  was  able  to 
cull  out  all  that  was  worth  remembering;  so  that,  in  his 
intercourse  with  the  world,  he  could  avail  himself  of  his 
rich  stores  of  knowledge  to  adorn  a  conversation  or  fortify 
an  argument.  Naturally  of  a  reserved  and  timid  disposi- 
tion, it  was  only  where  he  felt  himself  well  acquainted 
that  his  fine  colloquial  powers  and  well-stored  mind  were 
brought  thoroughly  into  requisition. 

As  a  writer,  his  style  was  free  and  dashing,  often  rising, 
when  his  feelings  were  interested,  to  eloquence  and 
beauty.  The  journal  written  to  his  family  while  travel- 
ling in  Europe  abounds  with  such  passages,  and  exhibits 
descriptive  powers  of  a  high  order.  With  Scotland  he 
was  greatly  pleased,  and  wrote  enthusiastically  of  its  rich 
and  varied  scenery.  On  bidding  farewell  to  the  island  of 
Arran,  and  the  warm  friends  who  entertained  him  there, 
he  thus  apostrophizes  : — 

"  Farewell  Arran  !  with  your  lofty  crags — your  wild 
glens — your  bleak,  barren  moors — your  lovely  valleys  and 
heather-clad  hills,  among  which  I  have  wandered,  and 
gathered  many  of  nature's  gems — your  rocky  shores  and 
land-locked  bays,  which  have  yielded  up  to  me  many  of 
ocean's  hidden  treasures ;  rich  studies  from  whence  lessons 


DESCRIPTION  OF  A  SHELL-FISH.  29 

have  been  learned  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  Farewell 
scenes  of  historic  interest,  haunts  of  the  brave,  where  I 
have  sat  and  been  carried  back  to  the  days  of  Bruce, 
Scotland's  guiding  star !  Farewell  friends,  who  in  no 
small  degree  have  contributed  to  my  enjoyment,  and  to 
whom  I  owe  much  of  this  pleasure  !  Farewell  all ! — and 
should  my  life  be  spared,  many,  many  years  after  this, 
will  I  look  back  upon  the  days  spent  upon  this  island  as 
a  season  of  unmarred  enjoyment." 

Another  extract,  giving  a  description  of  a  tiny  shell- 
fish :- 

"August  21,  1861. — About  one  o'clock  went  fishing 

with  Mr.  and  Miss  N ,  but  caught  nothing.    We  then 

took  to  the  dredge,  and  sailed  up  and  down  for  about 
half  an  hour.  The  result  of  our  haul  was  several  star 
fish  and  goniasters,  hermit  crabs,  ascidians,  and,  last  of 
all,  a  lima — a  creature  for  delicacy  of  form  and  beauty  of 
colour  unsurpassed  in  the  treasures  of  the  ocean.  The 
fragile  shell  does  not  entirely  cover  this  little  mollusc ; 
the  most  beautiful  part,  a  delicate  orange-coloured  fringe, 
is  entirely  outside  and  unprotected ;  and  were  no  means 
provided  for  its  defence,  it  would  be  a  most  tempting 
morsel  for  some  roving  haddock  or  whiting.  But  the 
same  wise  and  kind  Creator  who  '  tempers  the  wind  to 
the  shorn  lamb '  has  taught  this  little  creature  a  wonder- 
ful art  of  self-preservation.  It  is  not  content  with  hiding 
itself  amongst  the  loose  coral,  for  it  would  soon  be  washed 
out  by  the  storms :  it  becomes  a  marine  mason,  and  builds 
for  itself  a  nest — constructs  a  coral  grotto  ;  and  proves 
that  it  is  not  only  a  mason,  but  a  plasterer,  a  rope-spinner, 


30  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

and  a  weaver  of  most  durable  tapestry.  In  order  that 
the  little  bits  of  coral  composing  its  house  may  be  firmly 
knit  together,  cordage  is  needed ;  and  this  cordage  the 
lima  spins.  But  how  ?  We  know  not  as  yet.  It  has  no 
spinnerets  like  the  spider.  The  skill  of  the  physiologist 
has  as  yet  been  unable  to  detect  any  organ  set  apart  for 
this  purpose.  Yet  the  fact  is  the  same ;  and  it  twines 
and  intertwines  its  little  ropes,  with  which  it  binds  firmly 
together  the  walls  of  its  habitation,  and  bids  defiance  to 
wind  and  wave  and  plunderer.  When  first  you  see  this 
little  house,  you  are  inclined  to  throw  it  away  as  a  mass 
of  half-decayed  sea-weed  and  blackened  coral.  But  stop ! 
look  how  wisely  this  is  constructed.  Externally  it  is  hard 
enough,  and  thus  better  fitted  to  resist  attack  and  keep 
secure  its  frail  inhabitant.  But  look  within,  and  see  how 
it  is  lined  with  a  curtain  soft  as  silk.  See  how  it  has 
woven  the  little  cords  into  a  tapestry  which  protects  its 
frail  tentacles  from  being  injured  by  the  roughness  of  the 
outer  walls !  Removing  the  little  creature  from  its  nest, 
and  putting  it  in  a  jar  of  sea  water,  what  a  beautiful  object 
it  is!  Its  mode  of  swimming  is  the  same  as  that  of  the 
clam; — it  suddenly  opens  the  valves  of  the  shell,  and  then 
as  suddenly  shuts  them,  and  the  water  being  forced  out, 
impels  the  animal  with  great  rapidity,  and  thus  it  swims 
by  a  succession  of  leaps.  It  is  very  delicate,  and  with 
the  greatest  care  rarely  lives  in  the  aquarium  longer  than 
a  fortnight.  How  prone  we  are  to  admire  the  creature 
and  forget  the  Creator  ! — how  apt  to  admire  the  dexterity 
and  skill  of  these  lower  creatures,  to  wonder  at  them, 
without  adoring  Him  who  gave  them  these  powers,  and 
taught  them  to  perform  instinctively  these  things,  which 
so  loudly  call  forth  our  praise  !" 


HIS  FRIENDSHIPS.  31 

Mr.  Stuart's  frequent  absences  from  home,  and  his  often 
recurring  attacks  of  asthma,  led  William  to  feel  a  more 
than  usual  interest  in  all  that  concerned  his  mother,  and 
to  strive  to  relieve  her  from  care  as  far  as  was  in  his 
power.  He  had  the  highest  respect  for  her  home  manage- 
ment and  discipline.  His  love  for  her  was  deep  and 
quiet,  manifesting  itself  in  his  uniformly  affectionate 
manner  of  speaking  of  her ;  his  unremitting  attention  to 
her  when  suffering  from  illness ;  and  the  pleasure  with 
which  he  recalled  scenes  of  his  childish  days  in  which  she 
had  borne  a  part — the  songs  she  had  then  sung  to  him — 
and  especially  the  happy  evenings  which,  at  a  later  time,, 

he  spent  with  her  and  his  aunt,  Mrs.  R ,  in  showing 

them  his  minerals  and  other  collections,  or  in  talking  over 
some  book  which  they  were  reading.  No  doubt  he  owed 
much  of  his  culture  to  their  judgment  and  good  taste,  and 
to  the  encouragement  given  him  by  the  interest  they 
uniformly  felt  in  his  plans  and  pursuits. 

While  he  had  many  acquaintances,  his  real  friendships 
were  few.  With  that  keen  discernment  which  seemed 
part  of  his  nature,  he  sifted  and  weighed  character  before 
offering  or  accepting  the  slightest  advances  toward  inti- 
macy ;  but  his  confidence,  once  gained,  was  firm  in  every 
emergency.  Never  was  a  friend  more  noble,  true,  and 
disinterested. 

On  one  occasion,  when  deceived  in  one  whom  he 
believed  his  friend,  he  writes  : — 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  after  fully  weighing  the  mat- 
ter, and  even  throwing  all  possibilities  in  his  favour,  my 
opinion  is  that  he  is  guilty  of  all  I  have  charged  him  with. 
I  have  fully  forgiven  him,  nor  will  I  ever  cease  to  pray 

3 


32  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

for  him ;  yet  I  can  never  look  upon  him  with  the  same 
degree  of  confidence  again.  I  have  learned  a  bitter  but 
I  trust  profitable  lesson  by  it.  How  few  are  our  true 
friends,  and  how  much  should  we  love  those  who  are  really 
such  !  A  friend  is  one  of  Heaven's  choicest  blessings." 

Such  magnanimity  as  this— such  forgiveness  of  enemies 
and  praying  for  them — could  only  be  learned  in  the  school 
of  Christ.  High-toned  and  chivalrous,  manly  and  inde- 
pendent, he  loathed  everything  vulgar,  grovelling,  or 
sycophantic.  From  persons  who  had  nothing  but  money 
or  dress  to  recommend  them  he  instinctively  shrank, 
and  did  not  hesitate,  in  a  becoming  way,  to  express  his 
contempt  for  their  pretensions.  There  was  nothing  little 
or  selfish  about  him.  Generous  to  a  fault,  self-sacrificing 
even  to  his  own  injury,  he  lived  for  others.  In  a  life  of 
half  a  century  we  have  known  but  one  William  David 
Stuart.  From  an  intimacy  of  years,  spending  hours 
together  almost  daily,  conversing  on  all  subjects, — boat- 
ing, riding,  playing  practical  jokes,  travelling,  praying, 
and,  in  cases  of  emergency,  sleeping  together, — we  knew 
the  man  in  his  inner  as  well  as  outer  life,  and  can  un- 
hesitatingly affirm  that  never  have  we  known  one  of  his 
age  possessed  of  so  beautiful,  so  symmetrical  a  character. 
In  William's  death  the  writer  lost  his  youngest,  but  his 
most  valued  friend. 

With  young  men  of  his  own  age  he  had  great  influence ; 
and  when  he  could  establish  a  bond  of  sympathy,  in  any 
way,  he  greatly  enjoyed  their  society. 

Kind  and  winning  in  his  manners,  he  won  the  confi- 
dence of  his  associates ;  and,  before  they  were  aware  of 
it,  the  great  interests  of  eternity  were,  with  a  singularly 


LOVE  FOR  HIS  NATIVE  LAND.  33 

happy  tact,  made  the  subject  of  discourse.  Yet  his 
tastes,  pursuits,  and  enjoyments  being  different  from 
those  of  the  majority,  and  his  mind  more  matured  than 
usual,  he  naturally  sought  intercourse  and  companionship 
with  older  persons.  The  Letters  at  the  close  of  this 
Memoir  attest  how  highly  he  was  valued  by  men  of  large 
experience  and  great  learning.  Well  versed  in  theology, 
in  several  of  the  sciences,  in  history,  in  polite  literature, 
and  having  kept  pace  with  this  rapid  age,  as  its  daily 
events  transpired,  he  not  only  appeared  to  advantage 
among  men  of  culture,  but  his  society  was  sedulously 
sought  for.  On  all  the  great  national  questions  of  the 
day,  whether  of  home  policy  and  politics  or  those  of 
foreign  nations,  he  was  equally  well  informed,  and  all  his 
views  were  broad  and  enlightened. 

He  loved  his  native  land  intensely,  and  would  acknow- 
ledge no  blot  on  her  fair  name,  save  the  dark  one  of 
slavery; — of  this  he  pleaded  guilty  before  God  and  man. 
The  genius  and  structure  of  her  institutions,  her  free  and 
untrammelled  constitutional  liberty,  her  religion,  her  re- 
sources, her  power,  her  population,  were  all  thoroughly 
understood  by  him.  In  the  great  Rebellion  all  his  sym- 
pathies were  with  the  North ;  and  often  when  travelling 
in  Europe  has  he  stood  up  nobly  in  defence  of  the  right, 
— placing  the  subject  in  so  clear  a  light  as  to  turn  the 
tide  of  sympathy  in  the  true  direction.  In  the  circle  in 
which  he  moved,  America  was  the  standing  topic  of  con- 
versation; and  he  has  been  known  to  forget,  in  the  ardour 
of  his  zeal,  his  natural  reserve,  to  explain  at  length,  with 
great  warmth,  before  crowded  drawing-rooms,  the  nature 
and  working  of  our  Federal  Government,  insisting  upon 
its  superiority  over  their  monarchical  system — not  unfre- 


34  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

quently  to  the  chagrin  of  some  of  his  auditors,  who  were 
unable  to  reply  to  his  arguments. 

During  the  latter  part  of  William's  college  life  the 
choice  of  a  profession  gave  him  much  anxiety.  While 
his  tastes  would  have  led  him  to  some  scientific  pursuit, 
duty,  as  usual  with  him,  prevailed  over  inclination,  and 
giving  up  the  ministry,  for  which  he  feared  his  health 
would  not  be  sufficiently  strong,  he  decided  on  a  busi- 
ness life.  His  Letters  show  how  earnestly  he  prayed  God 
to  direct  him  to  such  a  course  as  would  best  promote  the 
cause  of  the  Redeemer  on  earth. 

On  his  return  from  a  tour  in  the  West,  in  1859,  his 
health  seemed  restored,  and  he  entered  his  father's  busi- 
ness house  with  the  intention  of  applying  himself  with  all 
his  energy  to  its  details,  to  qualify  himself  for  active  life 
as  a  merchant.  Scarcely,  however,  had  he  commenced 
when  his  strength  again  began  to  give  way,  and  he  was 
able  to  give  only  partial  attention  to  the  department  with 
which  he  had  been  entrusted. 

In  June  1860  he  made  a  visit  to  Princeton,  and  was 
much  benefited  by  his  two  weeks'  recreation  and  out- 
door exercise. 

In  January  1861,  while  visiting  Milton,  a  distant  town 
in  his  native  State,  to  deliver  a  lecture  on  the  micro- 
scope, he  contracted  a  severe  cold.  The  weather  was 
intensely  severe,  the  thermometer  ranging  from  10°  to  20° 
below  zero,  and  the  winds  high  and  piercing.  Immense 
blocks  of  ice  were  heaped  up  like  a  wall  on  the  banks  of 
the  Susquehanna.  He  was  out  in  the  air  a  great  deal, 
wading  through  the  snow  to  and  from  the  Academy 
bujlding  to  arrange  the  apparatus  for  exhibiting  micro- 
scopic objects,  as  well  as  sleigh-riding,  &c. ;  and  it  is 


LETTER  FROM  SICK-ROOM.       .  35 

probable  that  his  exposure  impaired  his  health  for  life, 
as  from  this  time  he  was  frequently  troubled  with  a 
cough. 

On  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  though  far  from  strong, 
he  endeavoured  to  attend  to  his  business  duties  and  his 
mission  school ;  but  after  leaving  the  latter  on  the  Sabbath, 
he  was  often  forced  to  return  home,  unable  from  exhaus- 
tion to  remain  at  church. 

Toward  the  close  of  February  he  was  obliged  to 
acknowledge  himself  an  invalid.  On  the  2ist  of  this 
month  he  writes  from  his  sick-room : — 

"  Here  I  am,  a  prisoner  again.  I  had  hoped,  al- 
though confined  to  the  house  all  day  yesterday,  to 
have  been  able  to  go  out  in  the  evening;  but  at  dark 
the  doctor  came  in,  and  after  looking  at  me  gravely 
for  several  moments,  feeling  my  pulse,  and  examining 
my  tongue,  strictly  ordered  me  to  stay  in  the  house 
and  undergo  a  course  of  treatment, — the  first  time  he 
has  prescribed  for  me  since  I  was  fourteen  years  old. 
Yesterday  I  was  much  alarmed  at  myself;  but  the  doctor 
has  quieted  my  fears.  I  had  got  the  idea  firmly  fixed  in 
my  mind  that  my  cold  had  settled  on  my  lungs,  and  that 
I  was  beginning  to  waste  away;  which  was  strengthened 
by  my  entire  loss  of  appetite— a  thing  unusual  with  me. 
However,  after  taking  two  or  three  doses  of  my  medicine, 
I  feel  much  better  and  brighter,  and  hope  soon  to  be  as 
strong  and  hearty  as  ever.  It  is  so  dull  staying  in  the 
house  :  true,  I  have  plenty  of  books  and  my  microscope; 
but  even  these  I  sometimes  do  not  care  to  use.  Then 
I  like  to  stretch  myself  on  the  lounge,  and  build  beautiful 
hopes  for  the  future. 


36  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

"I  have  lately  become  impressed  more  than  ever  with 
the  duty  of  self-examination, — looking  very  often  into 
our  hearts,  and  seeing  how  they  stand  toward  God.  It 
is  very  important  that  we  should  know  this.  Just  as  the 
careful  merchant  often  examines  his  books  to  see  how 
his  credit  stands  with  those  with  whom  he  deals,  so  should 
we  look  very  often  to  see  how  we  stand  with  God.  No 
one  can  do  it  for  us — it  must  be  a  personal  work;  and  if 
attended  to  in  a  Christian  spirit  and  with  prayer,  will  tend 
greatly  to  our  growth  in  grace." 

The  spring  weather  being  such  that  he  could  not  often 
get  out  in  the  air  to  gain  strength,  he  prepared  in  April 
for  a  trip  to  Savannah;  but  many  of  his  friends  objecting 
to  this,  he  sailed  for  Europe,  May  18,  1861.  He  re- 
mained abroad  about  six  months,  and,  in  accordance  with 
the  advice  of  Dr.  Quain  of  London,  spent  some  time  at 
the  sea  side  at  Blackpool.  He  also  made  excursions  in 
the  Lake  District  in  England;  then  went  to  Scotland, 
visited  the  Islands  on  the  western  coast,  and  passed 
through  the  Highlands.  From  Scotland  he  went  up  to 
London,  thence  to  Paris  and  Switzerland,  to  Baden-Baden, 
and  back  to  London  via  Paris. 

During  this  visit,  while  he  was  hospitably  entertained 
by  the  numerous  relatives  and  friends  of  his  father,  he 
made  many  new  and  lasting  friends  of  his  own.  The  kind 
attentions  he  received — especially  those  of  his  kindred  in 
Birkenhead  and  Manchester,  and  his  friends  in  Edin- 
burgh— will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  his  surviving  family. 

He  returned  home,  October  25,  1861,  looking  re- 
markably well,  and  having  gained  some  thirty  pounds  in 
weight.  As  cold  weather  approached,  however,  it  was 


VISIT  TO  EUROPE.  37 

found  that  his  health  was  not  permanently  established. 
During  the  winter  and  following  spring  he  was  much 
confined  to  the  house,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  for 
him  to  make  another  voyage  to  Europe.  He  sailed,  May 
7,  1862,  for  Liverpool,  but  very  reluctantly,  being  quite 
wearied  with  travelling  and  with  being  so  much  from 
home ;  and,  indeed,  he  would  not  have  consented  but  for 
the  opportunity  of  obtaining  a  knowledge  of  business  by 
accompanying  his  friend  Mr.  Caldwell,  one  of  the  partners 
in  his  father's  house,  to  the  manufacturing  districts  of 
England.  He  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  stay  longer 
than  was  required  for  business,  and  for  a  little  trip  in 
Ireland,  which  he  greatly  enjoyed,  in  spite  of  the  weather. 
He  was  very  hospitably  received  by  the  warm-hearted 
Irish  friends  and  kindred  of  his  father  and  himself.  He 
also  spent  a  few  days  in  Scotland,  and  made  a  hurried 
visit  to  Paris. 

He  reached  home  early  in  July,  looking  rather  better 
than  when  he  left,  but  in  reality  not  much  benefited  by 
his  trip.  The  weather  during  his  absence  was  very  un- 
favourable, there  being  scarcely  a  day  without  rain.  His 
'cold  and  cough  became  worse  as  autumn  approached, 
•and  he  gradually  lost  strength;  yet  he  was  ever  hopeful 
with  regard  to  himself,  and  the  report  of  several  physicians 
led  his  friends  to  dismiss  all  serious  fears  for  his  life,  and 
believe  that  he  would  soon  recover. 

He  would  not,  even  at  this  time,  acknowledge  himself 
•an  invalid ;  for  about  the  first  of  September  he  joined  a 
military  company  whose  services  were  expected  to  be 
speedily  required  at  the  capital  of  the  State,  to  assist  in 
•repelling  a  threatened  invasion  by  the  rebels;  but  his 
failing  strength  soon  forced  him  to  give  up  the  drill. 


38  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

We  now  come  to  the  second  great  event  in  his  life — his 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Ella  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  the 
late  Laurence  Johnson,  Esq.,  of  this  city.  To  this  young 
lady  he  had  been  several  years  engaged,  and  her  personal 
attractions,  intelligence,  culture,  and  piety,  rendered  her 
in  every  respect  worthy  to  be  his-  companion  for  life. 
Her  love  had  long  been  the  sunshine  of  his  existence. 
Even  while  yet  children  they  seem  to  have  been  irresist- 
ibly attracted  to  each  other,  and  an  affection  so  pure  and 
holy  is  rarely  to  be  found  on  earth.  As  winter  had 
approached,  his  health  had  steadily  declined,  and  a  voyage 
to  Santa  Cruz  was  recommended,  with  a  short  residence 
on  that  island.  This  decided  the  time  of  his  marriage, 
for  he  could  not  bear  to  contemplate  another  separation 
from  all  he  loved ;  while  the  true  heart,  on  whom  he  was 
daily  learning  more  and  more  to  lean,  rejoiced  in  the 
opportunity  of  nursing  him  in  sickness,  and  being  his 
solace  and  support  while  journeying  far  from  home. 
They  were  united  on  the  4th  of  December,  1862.  The 
same  afternoon  they  went  to  New  York,  and  sailed  for 
Havana  the  following  Tuesday,  accompanied  by  William's 
uncle,  Mr.  David  W.  Denison.  It  was  a  kind  Providence 
that  put  it  into  the  heart  of  this  Christian  gentleman  to 
go  with  them,  for  he  rendered  them  such  service  as  none 
could  but  a  kinsman  and  loving  friend.  It  was  a  journey 
at  once  of  joy  and  sorrow  :  of  joy  to  the  young  hearts 
that  they  were  united  by  the  closest  and  holiest  of  bonds; 
of  sorrow  that  the  sickness  of  him — the  pride  and  joy  of 
the  young  wife's  heart — might  be  unto  death. 

The  weather  was  severely  cold,  and  the  ill-furnished 
and  over-crowded  steamer  promised  a  voyage  full  of  dis- 
comfort. The  deck,  the  only  pleasant  portion  of  the  ship, 


VOYAGE  TO  THE  WEST  INDIES.  39 

was  always  thronged,  many  having  mattresses  upon  it. 
In  this  state  of  things,  with  the  rolling  of  the  vessel  at 
times,  it  was  impossible  for  William  to  take  the  exercise 
he  felt  to  be  necessary;  nor  could  he  get  needful  rest  in 
his  close  state-room  in  the  lower  cabin,  never  reached  by 
fresh  air,  and  almost  intolerable  when  the  engine  fires 
had  thoroughly  heated  the  iron  vessel,  and  the  temperature 
of  the  Gulf  Stream  was  reached.  Still  he  was  uniformly 
cheerful  and  uncomplaining,  and  occupied  himself  with 
reading,  talking,  and  attending  to  his  sea-sick  companions. 
In  the  afternoon  his  symptoms  were  usually  unfavourable, 
and  he  suffered  from  chilliness. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i6th  December  they  entered 
the  beautiful  harbour  of  Havana,  and  in  a  short  time 
found  comfortable  apartments  at  the  Hotel  Cubano.  The 
rain  and  dampness,  however,  confined  William  to  the 
hotel  for  days  together ;  and  as  it  was  the  head-quarters 
of  the  Secessionists,  he  found  little  pleasure  in  leaving  his 
own  rooms.  He  was,  however,  occasionally  enlivened  by 
the  society  of  some  fellow-passengers,  who  had  proved 
pleasant  companions.  When  the  day  was  fine  he  would 
drive  through  the  city  and  its  suburbs,  but  sometimes  felt 
unable  to  leave  the  carriage  to  see  the  various  objects  of 
interest,  and  when  occasionally  he  walked  out,  he  always 
returned  fatigued.  After  remaining  in  Havana  ten  days, 
and  feeling  that  each  one  left  him  weaker,  it  was  deter- 
mined, by  the  advice  of  friends,  to  go  over  to  Matanzas, 
there  to  remain  until  it  should  be  necessary  to  embark  at 
Havana  for  St.  Thomas. 

On  the  27th  of  December  the  change  was  accomplished 
to  the  gratification  of  all,  Mr.  Denison  having,  with  his 
usual  thoughtfulness,  made  arrangements  in  advance  for 


40  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

their  comfort.  The  house,  though  plain,  was  American, 
and  decidedly  Northern  in  sentiment. 

With  pleasant  drives  by  the  sea-side,  the  society  of  the 
American  Consul  and  a  number  of  agreeable  ladies, 
William  passed  his  time  pleasantly ;  but  he  did  not  gain 
strength,  and  his  cough  became  very  painful,  keeping 
him  awake  much  at  night. 

The  greatest  exertion  he  made  while  in  Cuba  was  to 
visit  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Yumuri,  near  Matanzas, 
the  execrable  road  to  which  fatigued  him  greatly.  The 
party  returned  to  Havana  on  the  2nd  January,  1863;  on 
the  6th  set  sail  in  the  steamer  "Conway;"  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  i4th  found  themselves  lying  within  a 
stone's  throw  of  the  green  clad  hills  and  airy  palms  of 
Santa  Cruz,  over  which  was  still  shining  the  beautiful 
constellation  of  the  Cross,  as  if  to  recall  to  their  remem- 
brance that  love  which  extends  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

Here  the  travellers  hoped  to  make  a  pleasant  home 
for  a  few  months,  but  on  landing  were  dismayed  to  find 
that  there  was  no  longer  a  boarding-house  in  the  place. 
In  a  short  time,  however,  Mr.  Moore,  to  whom  they  had 
letters  of  introduction,  hearing  of  their  embarrassment, 
offered  the  hospitality  of  his  house.  Mrs.  Moore  received 
them  in  the  kindest  manner,  as  did  also  her  husband  and 
sons  ;  and  all  were  unceasing  in  their  efforts  to  add  to 
their  comfort  and  make  them  feel  at  home.  Never  were 
travellers  more  blessed  in  finding  friends.  A  happy  week 
was  spent  in  their  society.  Nor  did  their  attentions  cease 
when  a  person  was  found  willing  to  open  a  house  for 
the  travellers'  accommodation,  but  daily,  indeed  almost 
hourly,  did  they  give  some  mark  of  their  unwearying 
kindness. 


ALARMING  SYMPTOMS.  41 

In  their  new  quarters  in  Frederickstadt  the  travellers 
were  again  blessed  by  falling  into  the  hands  of  an  ex- 
cellent lady,  Miss  A ,  who  did  everything  in  her  power 

to  promote  their  comfort.  The  weather  was  charming, 
the  mercury  never  falling  much  below  70°,  and  usually 
standing  at  about  84°  throughout  the  day.  Almost  un- 
comfortably warm  as  this  was  for  his  wife  and  uncle, 
coming  from  the  frosty  air  of  the  north,  William  was  con- 
stantly chilly,  and  never  took  off  the  thick  flannels  and 
tlothing  with  which  he  left  home  but  once  or  twice,  and 
that  for  a  short  time  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  The  con- 
struction of  the  houses  on  the  island,  with  windows  on 
four  sides,  and  these  without  glass,  was  very  unfavourable 
to  one  sensitive  to  the  least  current  of  air,  and  he  took 
cold  continually,  notwithstanding  every  effort  was  made 
to  prevent  it. 

Before  reaching  the  island,  he  had  purposed  riding  on 
horseback  every  day;  but  a  drive  out  in  a  carriage  was 
found  to  be  as  much  as  he  could  bear,  and  even  this  was 
gradually  discontinued,  from  his  increasing  weakness. 
His  symptoms  became  more  alarming.  His  appetite — 
never  remarkably  good — began  to  decrease,  and  few 
delicacies  could  be  procured  to  tempt  it.  He  was  obliged 
to  have  recourse  to  anodyne  nightly.  His  sufferings  from 
chills  were  at  times  severe,  and  the  consequent  fever 
seemed  as  though  it  would  consume  his  wasted  body.  He 
no  longer  felt  able  to  sit  at  table  to  take  his  meals,  and 
he  became  assured  that  he  would  not  recover  while 
remaining  there. 

In  those  dark  hours  the  thoughts  of  all  turned  towards 
home.  The  invalid  especially  longed  for  it.  The  physi- 
cians at  first  refused  to  permit  the  journey,  but  after  a 


42  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.   STUART. 

consultation,  said  he  might  depart.  Then,  like  an 
electric  flash,  came  the  thought — there  is  no  hope.  With 
apparent  calmness  his  wife  prepared  for  immediate 
departure,  her  loving  heart  strained  to  the  last  degree  of 
tension,  condemned  to  bear  her  sorrow  alone,  unknown 
to  him  who  had  shared  all  her  griefs  and  joys  from  child- 
hood. Well  was  it  for  her  in  those  long  days  of  agony 
that  an  Almighty  Friend  was  near. 

Providentially  the  packet  schooner  D.  J3.  Bayles, 
Captain  Jayne,  with  excellent  accommodations,  was  in 
port,  and  in  a  few  days  to  sail  for  New  York;  and  to 
make  it  still  more  pleasant,  the  excellent  wife  of  the 
captain  was  to  accompany  him. 

With  sad  hearts  they  bade  farewell  to  the  friends  to 
whom  they  had  become  greatly  attached,  and  freighted 

with  comforts  and  delicacies  prepared  by  Mrs.  M 

and  Miss  A ,  they  sailed  from  Santa  Cruz  on  the 

1 7th  of  February.  The  invalid  seated  himself  on  deck, 
and  as  the  little  vessel  moved  gracefully  off  before  a  fine 
breeze,  he  gazed  for  the  last  time  on  the  beautiful  island, 
waving  his  handkerchief  in  reply  to  the  signals  of  Mrs. 

M and  her  sons,  feeling  that  although  his  health  had 

not  been  restored,  God  was  merciful  in  having  given  him 
such  friends  as  he  was  leaving,  and  such  as  were  convey- 
ing him  home. 

Captain  Jayne  and  his  wife  were  unwearied  in  their 
attentions,  and  no  sacrifice  was  too  great  for  them  to 
make.  They  gave  up  their  own  commodious  state-room, 
and  provided  many  things  with  the  special  view  of  add- 
ing to  William's  comfort. 

For  a  few  days  after  leaving  Santa  Cruz  he  was  very 
ill,  and  it  was  extremely  doubtful  whether  he  would  live 


VOYAGE  HOME.  43 

to  reach  home.  Not  knowing  what  might  be  the  result, 
preparations  had  been  made  before  leaving  the  West 
Indies  to  return  his  body  to  his  home  and  friends,  should 
God  take  his  spirit  to  himself  while  at  sea.  One  evening 
as  the  invalid  was  lying  on  the  upper  deck,  with  his  con- 
stant companion  seated  by  his  side,  the  thought  that  he 
would  die  far  away  from  home  depressed  him  greatly; 
and  as  she  wiped  the  fast  flowing  tear  from  his  pale 
cheek,  he  turned  his  clear,  deep  eye  upon  her  and  said, 
with  much  energy,  "  Mellie,  never  let  them  bury  me  in 
the  sea."  On  being  assured  that  they  never  would,  in  a 
moment  he  was  calm;  and  from  that  time  it  was  thought 
he  rallied  somewhat. 

Although  exceedingly  weak  and  ill  during  the  voyage, 
he  manifested  his  usual  energy  of  character.  He  dressed 
himself  with  some  assistance,  every  day,  with  one  excep- 
tion; and  the  captain  and  his  uncle  Denison  supported 
him  to  the  cabin  or  deck.  He  took  much  interest  in 
things  about  him,  noted  the  daily  run  of  the  vessel,  and 
read  several  volumes  during  the  voyage.  Usually  the 
weather  was  favourable,  but  occasionally  their  progress 
was  retarded  by  head  winds  and  heavy  seas,  and  when 
nearly  in  sight  of  New  York  they  were  becalmed  for  an 
entire  day;  yet  not  a  murmur  of  disappointment  rose 
from  the  lips  of  the  sufferer. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  2nd  March  the  schooner 
anchored  off  Jersey  City;  and  the  friends  of  the  party  in 
Philadelphia,  who  supposed  them  still  in  Santa  Cruz,  were 
startled  on  receiving  the  same  day  a  telegram  announc- 
ing their  arrival.  Some  of  the  family  went  on  immediately, 
and  the  next  day  accompanied  him  to  his  home,  from 
which  he  had  been  absent  just  three  months.  Great  was 


44  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

his  joy  on  reaching  it,  and  being  again  under  the  care  of 
his  own  physician  and  friend,  Dr.  Rumsey.  New  scenes 
animated  his  hopes,  his  appetite  improved,  and  all 
thought  he  would  soon  be  better.  He  was  very  hopeful 
of  his  own  condition,  and  frequently  spoke  to  his  wife  of 
his  plans  for  the  future,  as  though  he  had  no  doubt  of 
his  ultimate  recovery.  This  hopefulness  did  much  to 
allay  her  fears;  for  she  felt  that,  were  he  drawing  near 
the  invisible  world,  he  would  have  an  instinctive  sense  of 
his  condition;  and  though  he  might  be  beyond  medical 
aid,  he  was  a  peculiar  object  of  God's  care,  and  he  could 
and  would  restore  him.  He  expected  in  a  few  days  after 
reaching  home  to  be  able  to  go  up  to  the  library  and 
amuse  himself  with  his  books  and  minerals  and  micro- 
scope; but  this  he  never  accomplished,  and  left  his  room 
but  once  or  twice  when  he  was  wheeled  in  his  chair  to 
the  adjoining  one.  He  sat  up  after  he  rose  in  the  morn- 
ing till  ten,  and  often  eleven  o'clock,  conversing  with  the 
family  or  some  of  his  numerous  friends — at  times  recall- 
ing amusing  incidents,  and  speaking  with  as  much 
enthusiasm  as  his  strength  would  allow.  In  one  of 
these  conversations,  he  remarked  to  his  friend  Mr. 
James  Grant :  "  If  there  is  one  thing  more  than 
another  which  my  sickness  has  taught  me,  it  is  this — 
the  absolute  folly  of  putting  off  the  soul's  salvation  to 
a  sick-bed.  My  mind  and  body  are  so  weakened 
that  I  can  scarcely  find  strength  to  read  my  Bible  and 
pray."  He  noticed  the  new  publications,  and  several 
times  sent  out  for  new  works.  He  read  chiefly  scientific 
books,  and  amused  himself  in  arranging  his  collection 
of  stamps  in  an  album.  In  the  news  of  the  day  he  took 
a  deep  interest,  and  read  the  morning  papers  regularly 


MEDICAL  CONSULTATION.  45 

before  rising,  and  even  did  so  on  the  morning  before  his 
death. 

After  the  excitement  of  his  return  had  passed  off,  it 
became  apparent  that  he  did  not  improve.  His  appetite 
decreased ;  he  rose  later  each  morning,  and  never  walked 
across  the  room,  save  to  reach  his  arm-chair  when  he 
rose  in  the  morning,  and  to  return  to  bed  at  night.  He 
manifested  a  great  desire  to  know  what  his  physician 
thought  of  his  state;  and  on  being  gently  told  that  his 
lungs  were  affected,  and  his  symptoms  regarded  as  most 
serious,  he  looked  earnestly  into  his  wife's  face,  and  with 
a  voice  not  entirely  free  from  agitation,  said,  "  I  might 
have  known  it,"  and  mentioned  one  of  the  symptoms 
which  he  ought  to  have  recognized. 

Still  he  continued  hopeful,  though  it  was  very  evident 
from  his  remarks  that  he  felt  he  might  not  recover.  He 
longed  and  prayed  to  live.  Life  to  him  was  so  full  of 
hope  and  joy,  and  he  felt  he  had  yet  so  much  to  do  for 
Christ,  that  no  amount  of  suffering  could  wring  from 
him  a  wish  to  depart.  Yet  there  was  always  a  willing- 
ness and  desire  that  God's  will  might  be  done. 

Doctors  Caspar,  Morris,  and  Pepper  were  now  called 
in  as  consulting  physicians.  Although  they  could  do 
nothing  more  than  had  been  done,  even  to  alleviate  his 
physical  sufferings,  Dr.  Morris,  who  saw  him  often,  brought 
the  balm  provided  by  the  great  Physician ;  and  the  tones 
of  his  voice,  and  the  appearance  of  his  benevolent  face, 
brought  strengthening  to  the  hearts  of  both  sufferers. 

On  the  night  of  Friday,  April  3,  while  preparing  for 
bed,  William  had  a  dreadful  attack,  and  for  ten  minutes 
it  was  doubtful  whether  he  would  live  through  it.  It 
seemed  to  be  spasmodic,  and  he  felt  that  he  would  suffo- 


46  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

cate.  After  this  he  had  a  pretty  comfortable  night,  but 
from  that  time  he  did  not  leave  his  bed. 

The  next  evening  he  noticed  his  grandmother  talking 
with  Dr.  Rumsey,  and  after  the  doctor  retired  she  seated 
herself  at  his  bedside.  He  asked  her  what  the  doctor 
thought  of  him,  and  questioned  her  closely,  saying, 
"  Nanna,  I  have  to  screw  it  out  of  you."  She  told  him 
plainly  there  was  no  hope  of  his  recovery.  He  said, 
"  I  would  like  to  live  to  do  more  for  Christ;  but  it's  all 
right.  I  am  glad  you  told  me  all;  it  is  best  to  be  pre- 
pared for  either  event."  He  then  looked  up  to  the  head 
of  the  bed  where  his  wife  was  standing,  and  in  a  few 
words  expressed  the  agony  he  felt  at  parting  from  her, 
adding,  after  a  brief  pause,  "  I  hope  I  am  ready." 

The  next  day  William  expressed  a  strong  desire  to 
see  and  talk  with  Dr.  Morris.  The  doctor  was  soon  by 
his  side.  After  conversing  a  little  about  his  symptoms, 
and  the  probable  length  of  his  life,  he  learned  there  was 
no  ground  to  suppose  he  would  pass  away  during  such 
an  attack  as  he  had  on  the  previous  night ;  which  seemed 
to  comfort  and  encourage  him.  William  expressed  his 
desire  to  live,  that  he  might  do  something  for  Jesus, 
when  the  doctor  replied,  "You  can  trust  him."  The 
words  seemed  to  flow  like  healing  balm  into  the  sick 
man's  soul.  The  kind  physician  then  knelt  down  and 
prayed  with  him,  and  when  he  arose  stooped  and  kissed 
the  beautiful  face,  which  even  then  wore  the  radiant 
expression  that  must  belong  to  the  heavenly  world. 

The  day  following  was  the  Sabbath.  Early  in  the 
morning,  his  wife  seeing  the  tears  chasing  each  other 
down  his  cheeks,  inquired  of  what  he  was  thinking. 
He  said,  "  Oh,  I  long  to  go  to  my  mission  school ! " 


THE  MISSION  SCHOOL— DYING  REQUEST.        47 

During  one  of  his  paroxysms  of  pain  he  whispered  to 
her,  "  I  keep  constantly  thinking  of  these  lines : — 

'  Give  me,  O  Lord,  a  thankful  heart, 
From  every  murmur  free ; 
The  blessings  of  thy  grace  impart, 
And  make  me  live  to  thee.' " 

He  was  visited  this  day  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wylie  and  Mr.  A. 
Martin,  and  gave  most  satisfactory  evidence  that  he  knew 
in  whom  he  had  believed.  To  his  pastor  he  expressed 
a  desire  to  live,  but  said,  "  If  it  is  God's  will,  I  am  ready. 
I  look  to  Jesus  alone  for  salvation."  They  prayed  and 
sang  with  him,  and  the  dying  teacher  seemed  to  enter 
into  the  spirit  of  both  their  prayers,  as  well  as  the  sweet 
songs  of  Zion,  of  which  he  was  remarkably  fond.  As  Dr. 
Wylie  was  leaving,  William  requested  his  prayers  that 
afternoon,  especially  that  no  presumption  might  be 
mingled  with  the  confidence  he  enjoyed  of  salvation 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus.  Later  in  the  day, 
while  conversing  with  his  father  concerning  his  departure, 
he  said, — • 

"I  would  like,  papa,  that  you,  Dr.  Wylie,  and  Mr. 
Grant  be  a  committee  to  look  after  the  mission  school, 
and  see  that  all  goes  on  right.  It  must  go  right,  for  it 
was  planted  with  a  great  many  prayers.  I  do  not  feel 
as  though  God  were  going  to  take  me  away.  I  have 
felt  since  I  was  a  boy  that  He  had  some  special  work 
for  me  to  do.  Perhaps  the  founding  of  that  school  was 
my  work." 

Monday  was  a  day  of  great  suffering  to  the  dying 
saint,  and  had  not  the  hearts  of  those  around  been 

4 


4S  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

blinded  by  love,  they  would  have  seen  God's  seal  upon 
his  brow.  It  was  terrible  to  see  his  patient  suffering, 
and  know  that  everything  had  been  done  that  could  be. 
He  had  on  this  day  a  sweet  interview  with  his  friend 
Grant  (who  had  been,  throughout  his  sickness,  unremit- 
ting in  his  attentions),  in  which  the  interests  of  his  school 
were  mentioned,  and  committed  to  his  care  in  part. 
Towards  evening  his  case  became  very  alarming,  and 
Dr.  Rumsey  was  requested  to  remain  all  night.  At 
times  his  mind  would  wander  for  a  few  seconds.  He 
knew  perfectly  all  about  him.  None  of  those  with  him 
undressed  themselves;  but  towards  morning  nearly  all 
left  the  room,  as  he  seemed  inclined  to  sleep.  The  still- 
ness was  soon  broken  by  his  pouring  forth  his  soul, 
stirred  to  the  very  depths,  in  a  prayer  such  as  none 
could  utter  but  one  of  Christ's  chosen  ones,  to  whom 
the  veil  was  being  lifted,  and  who,  standing  on  the  con- 
fines of  the  heavenly  world,  sees  the  necessity  of  commit- 
ting to  the  Saviour  those  who  are  still  subjected  to  earthly 
influences.  Supported  by  a  bed-chair,  with  one  hand 
raised  toward  heaven,  he  prayed  still,  "  If  it  be  possible, 
let  this  cup  pass  from  me;  yet  not  my  will,  but  Thine  be 
done."  Oh !  how  earnestly  he  prayed  for  his  dear 
partner — that  she  might  be  strengthened  to  bear  all  the 
trials  of  life,  and  that  they  might  be  reunited  in  heaven ; 
his  family,  and  the  one  with  which  he  had  become  so 
recently  connected ;  his  mission  school ;  the  faithful 
nurse  who  sat  by  his  bedside; — all  were  the  subjects  of 
earnest  appeal  to  the  Mercy  Seat.  The  great  difficulty 
with  which  this  prayer  was  uttered,  the  intense  effort  it 
cost,  added  much  to  its  fervour.  It  had  been  difficult 
for  him  to  speak  even  in  whispers  throughout  the  day, 


DEA  Til  DRA  WING  NEAR.  49 

and  now  after  every  few  words  his  cough  obliged  him 
to  stop,  when  in  a  few  seconds  he  would  renew  the 
effort.  He  concluded  this  long  prayer  with  that  which 
he  had  learned  in  early  childhood: — 

"  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 
I  pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  keep  ; 
If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 
I  pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  take  ; 
And  this  I  ask  for  Jesus'  sake." 

When  asked  by  his  wife  whether  the  effort  he  had  just 
made  was  not  too  much  for  him,  he  seemed  surprised 
that  she  had  heard  him,  and  said  he  was  much  exhausted, 
but  felt  better  for  it.  His  pillows  were  then  arranged, 
and  he  fell  into  a  quiet  sleep.  Day  was  beginning  to 
dawn.  The  dews  of  death  were  on  his  noble  brow. 
Soon  after  six  o'clock  his  anxious  father  thought  it  best 
to  arouse  him,  lest  he  should  never  wake  again  on 
earth. 

"  Willie,  my  dear  son,"  said  he,  "  I  trust  Jesus  is 
precious  to  you." 

He  recognized  the  voice,  and  replied,  "  Yes." 

William  then  asked,  "  Do  you  think  me  worse?  does 
the  doctor  think  so1?  tell  him  to  come  here."  He  then 
asked  the  doctor  himself,  and  when  he  heard  his  affirma- 
tive answer,  he  replied,  "  I  will  feel  better  when  I  get  my 
breakfast;"  and  immediately  turning  to  his  wife,  said,  "  I 
wonder  if  this  is  death;  if  it  is,  I  do  not  know  it;  I  pray 
for  dying  grace  in  a  dying  hour." 

He  was  so  weak,  that  when  his  father  spoke  to  him 
again,  he  said,  "  I  can't  speak  now — I'll  talk  to  you  all 
by-and-by;"  when,  as  though  the  strength  were  immedi- 
ately imparted  to  him,  and  he  felt  he  must  avail  himself 


50  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

of  the  present,  he  delivered  a  message,  singularly  appro- 
priate, to  each  one  that  stood  around  his  bed. 

To  his  father  he  said,  "  God  bless  you,  my  dear  papa. 
I  had  hoped  to  have  been -spared  to  assist  you  in  your 
labours." 

To  his  sisters  he  addressed  a  sweet  word  of  exhortation, 
urging  them  to  give  their  hearts  to  Christ. 

To  his  brother  George*  he  said,  "I  hope,  my  dear 
brother,  you  will  take  my  place.  Seek  the  Lord  early, 
and  you  will  find  him." 

He  exhorted  his  younger  brother  Francis  to  give  his 
heart  to  the  Saviour. 

When  his  little  sister  Patty,  not  five  years  old,  was 
brought  to  his  side  by  her  father  for  a  message,  he  said, 
"  Oh,  papa,  she  could  not  understand  me ; "  and  then 
added,  "  God  bless  my  dear  little  sister." 

To  his  grandmother  Denison  he  said,  "Nanna,  my 
devoted  Nanna,  how  can  I  ever  thank  you  !  From  your 
lips  I  first  heard  the  name  of  a  Saviour." 

To  his  aunt  and  uncle  also  he  spoke  most  affection- 
ately. His  strength  was  much  reduced  by  this  effort, 
and  after  a  short  silence,  he  called  for  his  faithful  nurse, 
and  after  thanking  her  for  all  the  kindness  she  had 
bestowed  on  him,  said,  "Eliza,*  I  want  you  to  read  the 
Bible  (one  which  he  had  given  her,)  every  day.  Give 
your  heart  to  Christ,  and  meet  me  in  heaven."  She  made 
no  answer,  when  he  added,  "  Eliza,  won't  you  promise 
me  this?"  when  she  replied  with  sobs  and  tears,  "  I  will 
try." 

To  Dr.  Rumsey,  his  faithful  medical  attendant  and 

*  George  and  Eliza  have,  since  Willie's  death,  united  themselves  to  the  Church 
of  Christ. 


HIS  LAST  FAREWELLS.  5! 

warmly  attached  friend,  he  said,  "  Doctor,  you  have  been 
very  kind  to  me  since  I  have  been  a  boy,  and  you  have 
done  all  you  could  to  save  my  life;  I  have  a  request  to 
make, — that  you  will  meet  me  in  heaven."  The  doctor, 
completely  overcome,  bent  over  and  kissed  the  dying 
youth,  and  said,  "  Yes." 

To  his  mother  and  wife  he  gave  most  touching 
messages,  but  they  are  too  sacred  to  be  repeated  here. 

After  the  delivery  of  these  tender  farewells,  a  solemn 
stillness  reigned.  When  he  had  recovered  a  little  from 
his  exhaustion,  he  asked  his  father  to  "  pray  if  it  be  yet 
possible  that  this  cup  may  pass  from  me."  After  prayer, 
in  which  he  joined  with  much  earnestness,  there  was 
another  pause,  when  the  silence  was  broken  by  the  dying 
voice  exclaiming,  "I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth;" 
unable  though  evidently  desirous  to  finish  the  sentence. 

On  resting  for  a  few  moments,  with  faltering  lips  he 
breathed  his  last  words  on  earth  into  the  ear  of  her  whom 
he  so  tenderly  loved — such  words  as  would  comfort  her 
heart  when  he  would  be  no  longer  with  her  here. 

And  now  he  seemed  just  ready  "  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ."  In  that  chamber  of  death  not  a  sound,  save  the 
deep  yet  tranquil  breathing  of  the  dying  believer,  could 
be  heard.  What  peace  on  that  lovely  countenance! 
Watch  the  last  gleam  of  thought  stream  from  his  dying 
eyes.  Do  you  see  anything  like  apprehension  1  The 
world,  it  is  true,  begins  to  shut  in.  The  shadows  of 
evening  collect  around  his  senses.  A  dark  mist  thickens 
and  rests  upon  the  objects  which  have  hitherto  engaged 
his  observation.  The  countenances  of  his  friends  become 
more  and  more  indistinct.  The  sweet  expressions  of  love 
and  friendship  are  no  longer  intelligible.  The  soothing 


52  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

accents  of  tender  affection  die  away  unheard  upon  his 
decaying  senses.  The  curtain  is  descending  which  shuts 
out  this  earth,  its  actors  and  its  scenes.  He  is  no  longer 
interested  in  all  that  is  done  under  the  sun.  Oh,  that  I 
could  now  open  to  you  the  recesses  of  his  soul !  that  I 
could  reveal  to  you  the  light  which  darts  into  the 
chambers  of  his  understanding  !  He  approaches  that 
world  which  he  has  so  long  seen  in  faith.  The  imagina- 
tion now  collects  its  diminished  strength,  and  the  eye  of 
faith  opens  wide.  Friends !  do  not  stand  thus  fixed  in 
sorrow  around  this  bed  of  death.  Why  are  you  so  still  and 
silent  1  Fear  not  to  move — you  cannot  disturb  the  last 
visions  which  enchant  this  holy  spirit.  Your  lamentations 
break  not  in  upon  the  songs  of  seraphs  which  inwrap  his 
hearing  in  ecstasy.  Crowd,  if  you  choose,  around  his  couch 
— he  heeds  you  not — already  he  sees  the  spirits  of  the  just 
advancing  together  to  receive  a  kindred  soul.  Press  him 
not  with  importunities.  Urge  him  not  with  alleviations. 
Think  you  he  wants  now  these  tones  of  mortal  voices — 
these  material,  these  gross  consolations'?  No  !  He  is 
going  to  add  another  to  the  myriads  of  the  just  that  are 
every  moment  crowding  into  the  portals  of  heaven !  He  is 
entering  on  a  nobler  life.  He  leaves  you;  he  leaves  you, 
weeping  children  of  mortality,  to  grope  about  a  little 
longer  among  the  miseries  and  sensualities  of  a  worldly 
life.  Already  he  calls  to  you  from  the  regions  of  bliss. 
Will  you  not  join  him  there]  Will  you  not  taste  the 
sublime  joys  of  faith  ?"* 

While  the  clock  was  striking  seven,  on  the  morning  of 
7th  April  1863,  without  a  struggle,  he  gently  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus.  The  soul  of  WILLIAM  DAVID  STUART  was  in 
heaven. 

*  Buckminster. 


VISIT  OF  COLOURED  CHILDREN.  53 

When  the  emaciated  body  was  prepared  for  its  narrow 
house,  many  of  his  former  friends  and  companions  were 
permitted  to  see  it;  and  all  were  struck  with  the  almost 
heavenly  expression  and  exceeding  beauty  of  the  counte- 
nance. By  invitation,  between  thirty  and  forty  of  the 
coloured  children  of  the  mission  school,  with  their 
parents,  came  to  look  upon  the  face  of  the  departed 
for  the  last  time.  Their  sorrow  of  heart  at  the  loss  of 
their  best  earthly  friend  found  vent  in  sobs  and  tears. 
The  whole  scene  was  affecting  and  solemn  in  the  ex- 
treme. 

The  following  obituary  notice  was  published  at  the 
time  in  several  of  our  religious  newspapers.  It  was 
written  by  Mr.  JAMES  GRANT,  one  of  William's  intimate 
friends  and  fellow-labourers,  and  is  given  entire,  that  so 
just  atribute,  from  one  of  his  companions,  maybe  preserved 
in  connection  with  the  memory  of  our  friend  : — 


"I  KNOW  THAT  MY  REDEEMER  LIVETH." — These  precious,  SOul- 

comforting  words,  first  uttered  in  a  time  of  the  deepest  calamity  by  the 
patient  dweller  in  the  land  of  Uz,  were  the  last  which  passed  from 
the  lips  of  our  beloved  friend  and  fellow-labourer,  Mr.  William  David 
Stuart. 

He  had  suffered  intensely  in  a  severe  struggle  with  the  last  enemy 
on  the  night  of  April  6  ;  but  early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  when 
the  hand  of  death  had  nearly  completed  its  work,  a  short  interval  of 
calm  rep6se  was  mercifully  given  him.  It  seemed  as  if  the  work  of 
dissolution  had  been  suspended  for  a  brief  space,  that  he  might,  as  he 
did,  with  wonderful  serenity  and  Christian  fortitude,  give  a  parting 
message  of  affectionate  love  and  solemn  counsel  to  those  who  were 
gathered  around  his  bed,  and,  with  his  dying  breath,  leave  behind 
him  a  peaceful  testimony  that,  amid  the  swellings  of  Jordan,  he  was 
resting  on  the  Rock  of  Ages. 


54  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

But  not  only  when  the  silver  cord  was  being  loosed  did  this  dear 
young  servant  of  God  draw  comfort  from  the  consoling  thought  so 
beautifully  expressed  by  the  afflicted  patriarch,  but  the  felt  conviction 
of  an  ever-living  Saviour,  and  how -much  he  owed  him  for  his 
personal  salvation,  was  the  motive  power  which  impelled  him  to 
consecrate  all  the  energies  of  his  short  life  to  the  cause  of  Him  who 
had  redeemed  him  with  his  priceless  blood. 

Few  young  men  are  blessed  with  such  rare  natural  gifts  as  he  was. 
Graceful  in  form,  fair  and  noble  in  countenance,  courteous  in 
manner,  ever  cheerful  in  spirit,  amiable  and  benevolent  in  disposi- 
tion, with  a  mind  quick  to  comprehend  and  eminently  practical  in 
its  workings,  and  a  body — till  wasting  disease  prostrated  its  strength 
— full  of  manly  vigour  and  living  energy. 

Added  to  these,  he  had  all  the  advantages  of  a  refined  and  liberal 
education ;  and  having  travelled  extensively  and  mingled  much  in 
society,  he  possessed  wisdom  and  intelligence  far  beyond  his  years. 

It  is  believed  that  very  early  in  life  he  became  a  subject  of  Divine 
grace,  making  a  public  profession  of  his  faith  in  Jesus  when  but 
sixteen  years  old. '  From  this  time  onward  his  Christian  character 
made  its  mark,  leading  him,  with  singular  devotion,  to  seek  the 
soul's  salvation  of  those  with  whom  he  was  intimately  associated,  as 
well  as  the  perishing  around  him. 

His  principal  efforts  were  made  in  connection  with  the  Coloured 
Mission  Sabbath- School  in  St,  Mary  Street,  of  which  he  was  the 
founder  and  superintendent.  This  locality  is  one  of  the  very  lowest 
in  the  city,  and  to  labour  in  such  a  district,  among  such  a  class, 
required  no  little  self-denial  and  zeal.  The  repulsiveness  of  the 
field,  however,  was  entirely  overlooked  in  the  desire  to  elevate  the 
degraded,  comfort  the  distressed,  and  save  the  lost.  Assuming  the 
management  of  the  school  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  his  deep,  prayer- 
ful interest  in  it  never  flagged  till,  in  the  bloom  of  early  manhood, 
he  was  called  to  cease  from  his  labours,  and  enter  upon  the  heavenly 
rest.  When  declining  health,  or  absence  from  home,  prevented  him 
from  being  at  his  post  of  duty,  he  would  frequently  write  letters  of 
kind  advice  and  instruction  to  the  teachers  and  scholars ;  and  but  a 
few  hours  before  his  lamented  death,  the  school  and  its  manage- 
ment, after  he  was  gone,  was  the  subject  of  conversation  and 
thought 


THE  FUNERAL.  55 

It  was  a  touching  sight,  and  one  which  proved  how  tenderly  he 
was  loved,  when,  on  the  day  of  his  burial,  a  band  of  the  coloured 
children  and  people  assembled  around  his  silent  remains — beautiful 
even  in  death — and  made  great  lamentation  over  him.  His  name, 
the  kind  words  he  spoke,  the  deeds  of  sympathetic  kindness  he  per- 
formed, will  long  be  remembered  in  the  miserable  abodes  of  the 
dark  neighbourhood  in  which  he  laboured. 

To  us  it  is  mysterious  that  one  so  gifted  and  so  useful,  with  such 
strong  desires  to  work  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  welfare  of  his 
race,  should  be  so  soon  removed ;  but  to  use  his  own  words,  when 
convinced  of  his  approaching  death,  "//  is  all  right."  "What  I 
do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter."  What 
was  said  by  the  biographer  of  the  sainted  M'Cheyne,  in  refer- 
ence to  his  brief  life,  appears  peculiarly  applicable  to  him  :  "  Only 
this  much  we  can  clearly  see,  that  nothing  was  more  fitted  to  leave 
his  character  and  example  impressed  on  our  remembrance  for  ever 
than  his  early  death.  There  might  have  been  envy  while  he  lived ; 
there  is  none  now.  There  might  have  been  some  of  the  youthful 
attractiveness  of  his  graces  lost  had  he  lived  many  years  j  this  can- 
not be  impaired  now.  It  seems  as  if  the  Lord  had  struck  the  flower 
from  its  stem  ere  any  of  the  colours  had  lost  their  bright  hue,  or 
any  leaf  its  fragrance." 

In  these  unhappy  days  of  war  and  bloodshed,  we  hear  much  of 
death.  \Vhen  dear  William  Stuart  died  an  ardent  Christian  soldier 
fell,  not  amid  the  booming  of  cannon,  the  cracking  of  musketry,  the 
clashing  of  steel,  or  the  horrible  carnage  of  an  earthly  battle-field ; 
but  peacefully,  hopefully,  triumphantly,  in  the  home  of  his  child- 
hood, in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age,  he  laid  aside  the  spiritual 
armour  wherewith  he  was  girded,  and  entered  into  the  joy  of  his 
Lord. 

May  we  who  remain  still  in  the  place  of  conflict  and  labour  be 
enabled,  by  God's  grace,  to  redouble  our  zeal,  and,  like  him,  with 
unwearied  earnestness,  "work  while  it  is  day,"  for  "the  night 
cometh,  when  no  man  can  work."  G. 

The  funeral  took  place  on  Saturday  afternoon,  April 
ii.  The  hour  named  was  two  o'clock,  but  it  was 


56  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

nearly  two  hours  later  when  the  long  procession  began 
its  mournful  movement  towards  the  Woodlands  Cemetery. 
The  day  was  soft  and  balmy,  for  the  season;  and  the 
large  concourse  in  and  around  the  house,  and  which 
followed  the  body  to  the  grave,  testified  how  deeply  he 
was  lamented.  An  aged  and  devoted  minister  of  Jesus 
remarked,  that  he  "  had  seldom,  if  ever,  seen  so  much 
respect  shown  to  one  so  young." 

The  funeral  services  at  the  house  were  commenced  by 
the  Rev.  Alexander  Reed  of  Parkesburg,  Pennsylvania, 
who  read  appropriate  selections  from  the  Scriptures. 
This  was  followed  by  an  address,'"  of  peculiar  beauty 
and  appropriateness  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wylie.  Rev. 
Dr.  Boardman  then  made  a  short  but  touching  ad- 
dress, t  closing  with  a  solemn  and  appropriate  prayer. 
The  coffin  was  borne  by  six  of  his  young  friends,  two 
of  whom,  four  short  months  before,  had  acted  as  his 
groomsmen. 

In  the  cemetery,  with  the  large  congregation  around 
him,  standing  by  the  open  grave  of  him  whom  he  knew 
and  loved  in  life,  the  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  made  an  appro- 
priate address.  |  The  Rev.  Dr.  Suddards  offered  the 
concluding  prayer;  and  the  solemn  funeral  rites  were 
brought  to  a  close  by  his  pronouncing  the  apostolic  bene- 
diction. 

This  memorial  of  our  beloved  friend  and  Christian 
brother  would  be  incomplete  without  giving  the  proceed- 
ings of  several  Societies  with  which  he  was  connected. 
The  proceedings  of  the  Associations  connected  with  the 
First  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  were  published  in 

*  See  Appendix.  f  Ibid.  }  Ibid. 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  SOCIETIES,  &>c.  57 

tlie  Banner  of  the  Covenant  of  May  9,   1863,  and  were 
introduced  with  the  following  editorial : — 


"  EARLY  RIPE,  EARLY  GATHERED." 

The  following  are  the  proceedings  of  several  Societies  connected 
with  the  First  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  in  relation  to  the 
death  of  Mr.  William  D.  Stuart.  Although  prepared  in  the  first 
warm  gush  of  sorrow  which  his  early  death  has  caused,  they  do  not 
express  more  than  is  proper — nor,  indeed,  do  they  say  enough. 
The  whole-hearted  devotion  with  which  our  dear  young  brother 
served  his  Saviour  has  rarely  been"  equalled.  With  talents  and  an 
education  which  might  have  gained  him  the  laurels  of  fame,  with 
woildly  resources  which  would  have  enabled  him  to  enjoy  all  that 
wealth  could  procure,  he  engaged  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  a 
portion  of  the  most  degraded  and  neglected  class  in  the  community. 
Having  established  a  Mission  Sabbath- School  for  Coloured  Children, 
he  was  always  faithful  in  his  duties  as  its  superintendent;  and  in 
addition  he  conducted  services  twice  every  week — in  the  evenings  of 
the  Sabbath  and  a  working-day —  for  the  benefit  of  their  adult  friends 
and  relatives.  He  visited  the  sick  and  poor  among  them  in  their 
abodes  of  want,  amid  circumstances  so  disgusting,  oftentimes,  that 
scarcely  any  one  who  had  not  lived  among  them  would  have  been 
able  to  endure  them.  By  the  bedside  of  those  whose  occupations 
almost  excluded  them  from  all  intercourse  with  society,  he  was  to  be 
found  reading  the  word  of  God,  and  leading  in  earnest  prayer,  that 
souls  so  precious  that  Jesus  died  for  them  might  be  saved.  His 
self-sacrificing,  unsparing  labours,  we  have  no  doubt,  shortened  his 
life ;  but  though  he  died  young  in  years,  he  died  old  in  usefulness. 
He  sought  Christ  early,  and  gave  evidence  that  he  had  found  him ; 
and  his  short  but  bright  career  is  a  most  valuable  testimony  to  the 
reality  and  loveliness  of  youthful  piety,  and  presents  an  example  of 
personal  holiness  and  Christian  usefulness  which,  it  is  to  be  hoped, 
many  will  endeavour  to  imitate.  Those  who  have  been  bereaved 
may  be  consoled  in  their  sorrow  when  they  consider  what  God  made 
him  while  on  earth,  and  what  God  has  now  given  to  him  in 
heaven. 


58  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Officers  and  Teachers  of  the  St.  Mary  Street 
Coloured  Mission  Sabbath-School  of  the  First  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church,  held  on  Thursday  evening,  April  16,  1863,  the 
following  Resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted : — 

WHEREAS  it  has  pleased  our  heavenly  Father  to  remove  from 
his  field  of  labour  our  late  honoured  superintendent,  William 
David  Stuart,  it  is  fitting  that  we,  who  have  been  witnesses  of  his 
zeal  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  of  his  kind  and  loving  disposition, 
manifested  at  all  times,  of  his  self-sacrifice  and  devotion  to  whatever 
good  work  he  undertook,  and  especially  of  the  lasting  interest  he 
took  in  this  Mission  Sabbath-School,  which  he  organized,  and 
laboured  in  long  after  his  health  and  strength  began  to  fail,  should 
place  on  record  the  estimation  in  which  we  held  our  deceased 
brother.  Therefore 

Resolved,  That  in  the  decease  of  William  David  Stuart  we  have 
lost  a  faithful  and  devoted  superintendent,  a  zealous  co-worker,  a 
Christian  exemplar,  a  kind  friend. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  bow  in  humble  resignation  to  the  will  of 
God  in  this  afflictive  dispensation,  we  feel  assured  that,  as  for  him 
"to  live  was  Christ,"  so  "to  die  was  gain;"  therefore  we  will 
cherish  the  memory  of  our  departed  brother,  who  was  endeared  to 
us  by  his  ardent  love,  manly  piety,  Christian  fortitude,  and  self- 
sacrifice  in  the  work  of  his  heavenly  Master.  "  The  righteous  shall 
be  held  in  everlasting  remembrance. " 

Resolved,  That  we  recall  his  devotion  to  the  service  of  his  Saviour, 
manifested  by  his  abundant  labours,  "  in  season  and  out  of  season," 
for  the  upbuilding  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  this  school,  as  a  bright 
example  for  us  who  remain,  while,  following  in  his  footsteps  so  far 
as  he  followed  Christ,  we  endeavour  to  feed  the  lambs  of  the  flock 
who  were  the  objects  of  his  prayers  and  efforts  while  he  yet  remained 
with  us. 

Resolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  bereaved  relatives, 
while  we  would  not  intrude  on  their  sacred  grief,  reminding  them 
that  they  are  not  called  to  mourn  as  they  who  have  no  hope;  and 
trusting  that  Jesus,  who  wept  at  the  grave  of  Lazarus,  whose  com- 
passions are  infinite,  will  comfort  them  in  this  the  time  of  their 
trouble. 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  SOCIETIES,  «Srv.  59 

Resolved^  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  presented  to  the 
relatives  of  our  departed  brother,  and  that  they  be  published  in  the 
Banner  of  the  Covenant. 

JAS.  M'LEOD.  ELIZABETH  HAZEL. 

EPHRAIM  YOUNG.  EMILY  HAZEL. 

JOHN  BlGGERSTAFF.          MARY  M'CALLA. 

EBENEZER  YOUNG.  ELIZABETH  M'NuTT. 

THEO.  A.  GRAHAM.         MARTHA  B.  WHITE. 

THOS,  DONNELL.  HELEN  C.  BLAIR. 

JAS.  H.  WINDRIM. 


Resolutions  of  tJie  Sabbath- School  Association  on  the  death  of  Mr. 
W.  D.  Stuart,  Superintendent  of  the  St.  Mary  Street  Coloured 
Mission  Sabbath- School,  April  20,  1863: — • 

WHEREAS  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God,  in  his  mysterious 
providence,  to  remove  by  the  hand  of  death  into  the  heavenly  rest 
the  beloved  superintendent  of  the  St.  Mary  Street  Coloured  Mis- 
sion Sabbath- School,  Mr.  William  David  Stuart;  therefore  it  is 
resolved — 

1st,  That  in  his  early,  but  not  untimely  death,  this  Association 
has  lost  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments,  and  most  gifted,  faithful, 
and  most  active  members;  one  who,  by  Divine  grace,  consecrated 
with  singular  devotion  his  great  natural  talents,  his  refined  and 
liberal  education,  his  unselfish  benevolence,  and  his  remarkable 
energy  of  character,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  everlasting  welfare 
of  his  fellow-men. 

2nd,  That  while  we  cannot  but  deeply  lament  the  shortness  of  his 
useful  life,  we  render  devout  gratitude  to  God  for  all  the  Christian 
labours  he  was  enabled  to  accomplish;  for  the  peaceful  trust  in 
Jesus  which  sustained  him  in  the  dying  hour;  and  for  the  precious 
consolation  left  us,  that,  freed  for  ever  from  sin  and  suffering,  as  a 
good  and  faithful  servant  he  hath  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 

3rd,  That  inasmuch  as  the  special  object  of  his  love,  his  prayers, 
and  his  unwearied  efforts,  was  the  St.  Mary  Street  Coloured  Mission 
Sabbath- School,  of  which  he  was  the  founder  and  superintendent, 
we,  as  an  Association,  pledge  ourselves  to  sustain  it  effectively  by 


60  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

every  means  in  our  power,  in  the  hope  that  the  seed  sown  by  him 
and  his  fellow-labourers,  and  watered  with  their  prayers,  may  yet 
spring  up  and  yield  abundant  fruit  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God. 

4th,  That  we  will  ever  cherish  his  memory  as  one  endeared  to  us 
by  many  acts  of  generous  kindness  and  hallowed  hours  of  Christian 
labour;  and  that  we  commend  his  bright  example  of  youthful, 
vigorous,  manly  piety,  to  the  young  men  of  the  congregation,  urging 
them  to  follow  him  in  so  far  as  he  followed  the  footsteps  of  his 
Divine  Master,  who  went  about  continually  doing  good. 

5th,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolutions  be  sent  to  his 
bereaved  relatives,  with  the  assurance  of  our  united  prayers,  and  an 
expression  of  our  deepest  sympathy  for  them  in  this  season  of  sad 
and  solemn  affliction.  And  that  they  be  inserted  in  the  Sunday- 
School  Times  and  the  Banner  of  the  Covenant. 


JAS.  H.  WINDRIM, 
JAS.  GRANT, 
WILLIAM  RAY, 
JOHN  W.  FAIRES, 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  First  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian CJmrch,  Philadelphia,  held  Monday  evening,  April  13, 
1863,  the  following  Preamble  and  Resolutions  ivere  unanimously 
adopted: — 

WHEREAS  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  inscnttable  providence,  to 
remove  from  the  scene  of  his  earthly  labours  our  late  friend  and 
brother,  William  David  Stuart ;  and  whereas  it  is  proper  that  this 
Board  pay  a  just  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  one  who  was 
recently  a  member  and  officer  of  the  same  ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  1st,  That  we  bow  with  humble  and  willing  submission 
to  this  dispensation  of  God's  providence,  resting  assured  that  "  He 
who  doeth  all  things  well "  has  removed  our  departed  friend  from 
the  cares  and  trials  of  an  earthly  pilgrimage  to  share  in  the  eternal 
happiness  of  the  redeemed  in  heaven. 

Resolved,  2nd,  That  in  the  relation  which  our  departed  brother 
recently  sustained  to  the  members  of  this  Board,  as  well  as  in  that 
which  he  bore  to  them  as  a  fellow-member  of  the  congregation,  we 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  SOCIETIES,  &v.  61 

had  abundant  opportunities  to  estimate  his  worth,  to  appreciate 
those  traits  of  character  which  endeared  him  to  us  by  ties  of  strong, 
ardent,  Christian  affection. 

Resolved,  3rd,  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  has  by  this  affliction 
lost  one  who,  by  his  warm  and  generous  feelings,  his  amiable  and 
affable  disposition,  his  earnest  and  devoted  Christian  activity,  gave 
promise  of  great  usefulness  in  the  Church  of  Christ ;  yet,  while  we 
mourn,  we  can  rejoice  that  our  loss  has  been  his  eternal  gain. 

Resolved,  4th,  That  it  is  our  duty  to  imitate  the  example  of  our 
departed  brother,  in  so  far  as  he  imitated  Christ;  and,  reminded  by 
this  sad  event  of  our  mortality,  to  have  a  greater  zeal  in  the  service 
of  our  Redeemer,  to  improve  the  opportunities  for  usefulness  with 
which  God  is  blessing  us,  knowing  that  "the  night  cometh,  in 
which  no  man  can  work." 

Resolved,  5th,  That  we  tender  to  the  family  of  our  deceased 
brother  our  warmest  Christian  sympathy,  praying  that  He  who  has 
afflicted  them  may  give  them  his  own  grace  and  strength  in  this 
hour  of  their  trial,  that  they  may  know  "  whom  the  Lord  loveth 
he  chasteneth." 

Resolved,  6th,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  the 
family  of  our  departed  brother,  and  published  in  the  Banner  of  the 
Covenant. 

GEORGE  GORDEN,  President. 

Attest,  WM.  J.  CHAMBERS,  Secretary. 


At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Christian  Association  of  the  First  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  held  Friday  evening,  April  17,  1863,  the 
following  Preamble  and  Resolutions  were  unanimously  adoptea: — 

WHEREAS,  in  the  mysterious  but  all-wise  providence  of  God,  our 
late  friend  and  brother,  William  D.  Stuart,  has  been  removed  from 
the  scene  of  his  labours  and  usefulness  below,  to  the  mansions  of 
rest  prepared  for  the  redeemed  in  "  the  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens;"  and  whereas  the  intimate  relation  which 
he  •  sustained  to  this  Association,  as  its  presiding  officer,  renders  it 
peculiarly  appropriate  that  we,  the  members  thereof,  should  express 


62  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

our  sense  of  his  worth,  our  sorrow  at  his  departure,  and  our  Chris- 
tian sympathy  with  his  bereaved  relatives ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  bow  with  humble  resignation  to 
the  Divine  will  in  this  afflictive  dispensation,  assured  that  it  cometh 
from  the  hand  of  Him  "  who  doeth  all  things  well." 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  has  sustained  a  loss  not  easily 
repaired  in  the  removal  of  our  beloved  brother,  who,  as  its  presiding 
officer  from  the  date  of  its  organization,  discharged  the  duties  of  his 
office  with  distinguished  fidelity  and  success,  while  in  his  intercourse 
with  his  fellow-members  he  was  ever  dignified,  affable,  and  courteous, 
illustrating  by  his  life  and  manners  the  character,  and  displaying 
the  qualities  of  the  Christian  gentleman. 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  will  long  remember  the  labours  of 
our  departed  brother  in  the  cause  of  Sabbath-school  instruction  for 
the  neglected  and  degraded,  he  having  organized,  and  for  five  years 
having  had  the  active  superintendence  of,  the  St.  Mary  Street 
Coloured  Mission  Sabbath-School  of  the  First  Reformed  Presby- 
terian Church, — a  work  to  which  he  devoted  his  living  energies  and 
his  dying  thoughts. 

Resdlved,  That  in  the  life  and  death  of  our  departed  brother  we 
have  a  convincing  proof  of  the  realities  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  a 
bright  example  of  the  power  of  Divine  grace  ;  while  in  the  ardour 
of  his  zeal  and  devotion  in  the  service  of  the  Redeemer,  his  love  for 
the  souls  of  others,  which  led  him  "  in  season  and  out  of  season" 
to  labour  for  their  spiritual  good,  he  furnishes  us  an  example  worthy 
of  our  constant  imitation. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  relatives  of  our  deceased  brother 
our  warmest  Christian  sympathies,  praying  that  the  God  of  all  peace 
.and  consolation,  who  has  said,  "My  grace  will  be  sufficient  for 
thee,"  will  cause  them  to  realize  his  own  declaration,  that  "all 
things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  him." 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  presented  to  the 
family  of  our  departed  brother,  and  published  in  the  Banner  of  the 
Covenant. 

JAMES  GRANT,  ^ 

JOHN  W.  FAIRES, 

„  ,r  r  Committee. 

SAMUEL  YOUNG, 

GEORGE  S.  CHAMBERS,  J 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  SOCIETIES,  6-v.  63 

The  Christian  Association  of  the  First  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Philadelphia,  was  organized  on  the 
evening  of  February  12,  1857,  mainly  through  William's 
instrumentality;  the  object  of  the  organization,  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  preamble  to  their  Constitution,  being  "  a 
desire  to  promote  the  furtherance  of  missionary  enter- 
prise in  the  foreign  and  domestic  field,  and  the  incul- 
cation of  the  spirit  of  missions  upon  the  young,  together 
with  their  moral,  spiritual,  and  intellectual  improvement." 
In  his  assiduous  labours  for  the  welfare  of  this  Association, 
he  originated  and  carried  into  successful  operation  a  plan 
of  systematic  contributions  on  the  part  of  the  members  of 
the  Church,  for  missionary  operations  at  home  and 
abroad.  The  amount  thus  collected  was  nearly  $2000 
annually ;  which  greatly  exceeded  their  own  expec- 
tations, and  enabled  the  Church  to  do  her  full  share  in 
the  support  of  foreign  and  domestic  missions,  besides 
contributing  largely  towards  the  support  of  her  own 
mission  schools.  On  the  gth  March,  1857,  William  was 
elected  the  first  President  of  the  Association  ;  to  which 
position  he  was  re-elected  every  year  until  his  death,  and 
in  which  he  was  distinguished  for  his  urbane  and  dignified 
deportment  and  his  genuine  Christian  intercourse  with 
his  fellow-members.  The  essays  which  he  read  before 
the  society,  in  furtherance  of  its  literary  objects,  were 
characterized  by  an  ease  and  fluency  of  composition, 
and  a  graceful  and  effective  delivery,  that  imparted 
delight  as  well  as  instruction.  On  learning  of  his 
death,  a  special  meeting  of  the  Association  was  held, 
and  the  above  resolutions  were  subsequently  unani- 
mously adopted. 


64  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN 
ASSOCIATION  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

PHILADELPHIA,  April  13,  1863. 
ROOMS  OF  THE  YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION. 

MRS.  WM.  D.  STUART. 

DEAR  MADAM, — At  a  meeting  of  the  Hospital  Commission, 
held  last  Thursday  evening,  the  departure  of  your  dear  husband  was 
announced,  and  expressions  of  deep  feeling  fell  from  the  lips  of  a 
number  of  the  members,  both  on  account  of  his  loss  to  them  indivi- 
dually, and  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer;  and  likewise  because  of 
your  sore  family  bereavement. 

A  request  was  made  by  the  meeting  that  I  would  prepare  a  letter 
expressive  of  their  deep  sympathy  with  yourself  and  the  parents, 
brothers,  and  sisters,  of  this  beloved  friend  and  associate  in  Christ. 

We  regard  it  as  a  just  cause  of  human  sorrow,  when  one  in  the 
prime  of  life,  possessing  so  many  Christian  virtues,  with  a  heart  so 
warm  and  a  hand  so  ready  for  every  good  work,  is  smitten  down 
under  the  power  of  a  fatal  disease.  But  we  feel  it  is  then,  perhaps 
more  than  at  any  other  time,  that  the  worth  of  the  gospel,  which  he 
had  received  and  loved  to  publish,  manifests  itself  in  its  sustain- 
ing influence  upon  the  soul.  It  is  in  the  last  conflict  with  the  great 
enemy  of  our  race  that  the  Christian  hero  is  able  to  say,  "  I  conquer, 
though  I  die. "  Death  for  a  season  may  separate  the  soul  from  the 
body — the  mortal  from  the  immortal  part;  but  at  the  same  time  it 
sends  the  spirit  home  to  God,  to  bathe  in  everlasting  light  and  love. 
The  grave  need  have  no  gloom,  for  Jesus  has  been  there  and 
illuminated  it  with  his  presence,  and  triumphed  over  it  by  rising 
again.  It  is  now  to  be  regarded  as  the  dressing  chamber  of  the  soul, 
where  this  mortal  puts  on  immortality,  where  this  corruptible  puts 
on  incorruption,  and  where  "death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory." 

May  the  happy  life,  the  peaceful  death,  and  the  glorious  eternity 
given  by  our  heavenly  Father  to  this,  your  beloved,  cause  your 
heart  to  be  glad,  and  enable  you  submissively  to  say,  "The  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord." 

On  behalf  of  the  Hospital  Committee, 

Jos.  PARKER,  Chief  of  Commission. 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  SOCIETIES,  &>c.  65 


UNIVERSITY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

At  a.  meeting  of  the  Graduating  Class  of  1859  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  convened  the  gt/i  day  of  April  1863,  the  follow- 
ing Resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: — 

Resolved,  That  we  have  heard  with  feelings  of  unmingled  sorrow 
of  the  death  of  our  former  class-mate,  William  D.  Stuart,  whose 
noble  disposition,  warm  and  genial  heart,  and  Christian  spirit, 
endeared  him  to  all  in  every  circle  where  he  moved. 

As  a  college  class  we  had  many  opportunities  of  learning  and 
appreciating  his  virtues,  in  the  intercourse  arising  in  our  common 
pursuit  of  literature  and  the  classics,  and  we  are  unable  to  let  this 
occasion  pass  without  paying  a  tribute,  however  slight,  to  the  ability 
evinced  by  him  in  historical,  scientific,  and  literary  studies ;  and, 
above  all,  to  the  generous  impulses  of  his  nature,  guided  and  con- 
trolled, as  they  ever  were,  by  conscientious  convictions 'of  duty. 

Resolved,  That  though  we  recognize  in  his  removal  the  hand  of  an 
all- wise  Providence,  whowalkethin  clouds  and  darkness,  and  whose 
ways  are  past  finding  out,  yet  we  feel  his  loss  irreparable ;  and  to 
his  parents,  his  family,  and  all  those  most  near  and  dear  to  him,  we 
tender  our  sincerest  sympathies  in  this  their  hour  of  great  affliction. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  attend  the  funeral  of  our  late  friend  and 
brother. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  six  be  appointed  to  present  these 
resolutions  to  the  family,  and  to  liave  them  inserted  in  the  daily 
papers  of  this  city. 

HENRY  A.  CONVERSE,  Chairman. 

CHARLES  BUCKWALTER,  -> 

THOMAS  HOCKLEY, 

WILLIAM  B.  ROBINS,        \  Committee. 

G.  W.  RUSSELL, 

ALFRED  ZANTZINGER, 


From  over  a  hundred  letters  of  condolence  received 
by  Mr.  Stuart  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  on  the  occasion 


66  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

of  the  death  of  his  son,  a  few  extracts  are  made  by  the 
editor  from  some  of  those  whose  writers  personally  knew 
the  deceased,  showing  the  estimation  in  which  he  was 
held  by  all  who  enjoyed  his  acquaintance.  It  would  be 
gratifying  to  have  given  more  of  these  extracts,  were  it 
not  that  our  volume  already  exceeds  the  limits  of  its 
original  design.  The  letters  are  given  in  the  order  of 
their  dates : — 

Mrs.  Judge  JONES,  President  of  the  Female  Bible 
Society  of  Philadelphia,  and  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  So- 
ciety of  Philadelphia,  writes  to  Mrs.  Geo.  H.  Stuart, 
under  date  of  yth  April,  1063,  (the  day  of  William's 
death)  :— 

I  have  heard  this  evening  that  your  dear  son  has  gone  to  his 
heavenly  home.  What  inexpressible  comfort  you  have  in  this 
sorrow !  True,  it  is  a  great  cloud  ;  but  it  is  a  great  glory  too — a 
cloud  resting  upon  the  earthly  home,  but  a  glory  in  the  heavenly. 
How  sweet  to  recall  the  days  of  his  beautiful,  joyous,  useful  life, — 
thanking  your  gracious  Father  that  you  had  it  in  your  power  to  make 
him  so  happy ;  and  then  to  follow  his  blessed  spirit  into  that  land 
where  they  shall  no  more  say  "I  am  sick,"  and  exult  in  the  finished 
redemption  that  provided  such  an  eternity  of  blessedness  for  him ! 
I  feel  like  coming  to  you  and  pouring  all  the  tenderness  of  a  heart 
trained  in  the  school  of  affliction  into  yours,  but  shrink  from  intrud- 
ing on  a  privacy  so  sacred. 

My  sympathizing  love  to  all  the  afflicted  circle,  especially  to  the 
youthful  widow.  May  she  be  comforted  with  the  comfort  wherewith 
God  comforts  his  chosen  ones. 

THOMAS  NELSON,  Esq.,  of  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  one  of 
William's  most  valued  friends,  who  showed  him,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  visit  to  Scotland,  every  attention  in  his 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  67 

power,  to  make  it  pleasant  and  profitable,  was  on  a  visit 
to  this  country  during  William's  sickness.  He  saw  him  fre- 
quently during  this  time,  and  at  the  funeral  was  one  of 
his  pall-bearers.  He  writes : — 

NEW  YORK,  April  7,  1863. 

What  can  I  say  to  you,  my  friend,  in  this  sad  hour?  God  bless 
you  and  all  your  family.  May  He  give  you  that  "strong  consolation" 
which  comes  to  those  alone  who  are  His  children.  Deeply,  warmly 
do  I  sympathize  with  you  all,  and  trust  that  to  you  and  other  sorrow- 
ing friends  this  sore  affliction  may  be  sanctified. 

Poor  Willie!  loved  by  every  one  who  knew  him  in  Scotland; — • 
many  a  kind  inquiry  was  made  to  me  about  him,  long  after  he  left. 
I  had  learned  to  esteem  and  love  him  as  one  of  the  most  genuine 
characters  I  ever  knew  ;  and  I  will  cherish  the  intercourse  I  had 
with  him  in  Scotland,  as  one  of  the  pleasantest  of  life's  remem- 
brances  

Rev.  ALEXANDER  REED  of  Parkesburg,  Pa.,  writes  from 
his  parsonage  under  date  of  Qth  April,  1863  : — 

A  letter  to-day  informs  me  of  the  release  of  your  dear  son 
Willie.  No  sadder  sorrow  has  fallen  upon  my  heart  since  Jesus 
took  our  darling  daughter  home  ;  and  yet  I  can  say  nothing  to  com- 
fort you.  I  know,  and  you  well  know,  the  emptiness  of  human  con- 
dolence at  such  an  hour,  when  God  is  present  in  very  deed,  and 
His  messenger,  whom  no  power  can  resist,  no  skill  evade,  no  influ- 
ence thwart,  snaps  asunder  the  fondest  ties  that  earth  can  know, 
and  leaves  our  poor  hearts  bleeding,  broken,  desolate.  .... 

No  human  ken  can  comprehend  ncnu  why  one  so  gifted  in 
person,  and  mind,  and  heart ;  so  winning,  gentle,  cultivated,  noble, 
• — with  a  brilliant  future  opening,  full  of  hope  and  rich  in  promise, — 
with  every  earthly  blessing  filling  to  the  brim  the  cup  of  joyous  life  ; — 
no  one,  I  say,  can  possibly  ww  know  "why  he  should  die!  Yet 
even  in  the  midst  of  such  a  gloom  as  this  the  words  of  Jesus  come, 
full  of  blessed  consolation,  "  What  I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but 


68  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

thou  shalt  know  hereafter.''''  Oh,  how  full  of  hope,  how  full  of 
meaning  to  the  child  of  God  are  such  words.  "  Now  it  is  dark,  my 
suffering  children,  very  dark,  but  trust  in  me,  and  by-and-by  it  shall 
be  light."  Surely— 

"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
His  wonders  to  perform." 

More  than  twenty  years  ago  God  gave  into  your  keep- 
ing one  of  His  immortal  children,  and  said  to  you,  "Take  this  child 
and  nurse  it  forme,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages."  He  has  but 
taken  what  He  loaned  :  you  were  faithful  to  your  trust ;  you  shall 
yet  receive  your  "wages."  Look  upward  through  your  tears,  and 
say,  "  It  is  the  Lord;  let  him  do  what  seemethhim  good."  Oh  that 
God  may  sustain  you  in  this  overwhelming  sorrow. 

My  heart  bleeds  in  sympathy  with  you  all — father,  mother, 
sisters,  brothers ;  but  for  that  lonely  one,  who  a  few  brief  months 
since  started  out  upon  life's  bright  journey,  leaning  lovingly  and 
trustingly  upon  an  arm  now  so  cold  !  oh,  what  can  now  comfort 
her?  May  the  "Husband  of  the  widow"  be  her  stay 

I  shall  mingle  my  tears  with  yours  on  Saturday  around  that 
precious  dust  Would  God  I  could  do  more  ! 


Rev.  E.  E.  ADAMS,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  North  Broad 
Street  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia,  became  at- 
tached to  Willie  in  his  visits  to  the  family.  He  writes  : — 


PHILADELPHIA,  April  n,  1863. 

Great  Tvas  my  surprise  when  the  notice  of  your  son's  funeral  met 
my  eye.  I  knew  that  he  was  in  feeble  health,  but  had  not  a  thought 
that  the  hand  of  death  was  so  strong  upon  him.  He  was  a  noble 
young  man.  Short,  indeed,  his  career  on  earth  ;  but  he  has  left  a 
memory  precious  to  you — to  many — of  a  youth  consecrated  to  great 
ends,  of  a  manly  piety,  and  of  a  blessed  hope. 

There  is  a  resurrection.  Even  the  body  of  the  saint  shall  be 
like  that  of  his  glorified  Lord ;  and  it  will  come  soon.  Strike  the 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  69 

balance  between  this  life  and  death ;  on  which  side  descends  the 
scale  ? — 

"  Life  makes  the  soul  dependent  on  the  dust  ; 
Death  gives  her  •wings  to  mount  above  the  spheres. 
Through  chinks  styled  orgatis  dim  Life  peeps  for  light ; 
Death  bursts  the  involuntary  cloud,  and  all  is  DAY  ! 
Death  but  entombs  the  body — Life  the  soul ! 
Death  gives  us  to  repose  in  festive  bowers, 
Where  nectars  sparkle — angels  minister  ; 
And  more  than  angels  share,  and  raise,  and  crown, 
And  ETERNIZE,  the  birth-bloom— (BURSTS  of  bliss  ! " 

O  Death,  the  palm  is  thine !  The  palm  is  William's.  His  the 
gain.  Death  is  conquered  by  death.  The  vine  on  which  life's  clusters 
grow  is  rooted  in  the  tomb  of  Jesus.  From  such  clusters  only  those 
who  die  can  eat. 

Rev.  W.  J.  R.  TAYLOR,  D.D.,  Corresponding  Secretary 
of  the  American  Bible  Society,  was  for  many  years  associ- 
ated with  Willie  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associ- 
ation of  this  city,  and  became  very  strongly  attached  to 
him.  He  writes  from  New  York  (his  present  location), 
under  date  of  April  13,  1863  : — 

Not  until  the  day  of  his  burial  (Saturday)  did  I  learn  the  sad 

news  of  the  death  of  your  late  dear  son  William You  have 

lost  a  noble  son  ;  one  of  whom,  had  his  life  been  spared,  you  might 
have  expected  much  good,  and  an  honourable  career  of  Christian 
usefulness.  But,  my  dear  brother,  let  your  heart  be  comforted  with 
the  same  comfort  wherewith  you  have  often  comforted  others.  He 
was  a  Christian  ;  he  is  a  glorified  saint  with  the  dear  Saviour,  to 
whom  he  gave  "  the  dew  of  his  youth."  Young  as  he  was,  his  "  works 
do  follow  him,"  and  his  memory  will  be  fragrant.  If  it  seems 
strange  that  he  was  so  soon  cut  off,  it  is  enough  to  know  that  his 
work  was  done. 

''  A  Christian  cannot  die  before  his  time  ; 
The  Lord's  appointment  is  the  servant's  hour." 

Multitudes    of  earnest   Christian   hearts   doubtless   united   their 


70  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

prayers  for  you  and  all  your  bereaved  family,  when  the  heavy  tidings 
came  that  William  was  dead.  Not  a  few  will  continually  bless  God 
that  he  ever  lived 


Rev.  M.  L.  R.  P.  THOMPSON,  D.D.,  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  has  been  for  nearly  twenty  years  an  intimate 
friend  of  the  family,  and  became  attached  to  Willie  by 
more  than  ordinary  friendship.  He  thus  writes : — 

CINCINNATI,  April  13,  1863. 

GEORGE  AND  PATTY. 

MY  VERY  DEAR  FRIENDS, — Mr.  Denison's  letter  on  yester- 
day informed  me  of  the  death  of  your  noble  and  much-loved  Willie. 
The  intelligence  did  not  take  me  wholly  by  surprise.  I  had  learned 
before,  from  various  sources  besides  your  own  letters,  of  his  critical 
and  alarming  condition.  I  was  only  not  prepared  for  the  sad  event 
of  his  death  so  soon.  I  supposed  you  would  be  able  to  keep  him 
with  you  through  the  summer,  and  was  confidently  anticipating  the 
privilege  of  once  more  seeing  him,  and  conversing  with  him.  But 
God  has  ordered  otherwise,  and  I  am  sure  you  will  say  with  me, 
"  He  doeth  all  things  well." 

Our  hearts  bleed   with  yours ;   and  if  by  sharing  your 

pain  we  could  in  any  measure  relieve  it,  we  would  find  a  melancholy 
pleasure  in  the  participation.  Yours,  however,  notwithstanding 
all  human  sympathies,  is  the  whole  burden,  which  only  the  Divine 
mercy  can  lighten  and  make  supportable  :  for  that  mercy  be  assured 
that  our  prayers  ascend  with  yours 

Willie  had  every  quality  that  could  endear  him  to  your  hearts. 
Mrs.  T.  and  I  have  often  said,  since  we  saw  him  last  in  Buffalo, 
that  he  seemed  to  combine  in  himself  everything  best  fitted  to  make 
him  the  joy  and  pride  of  his  parents.  And  such  was  the  opinion 
expressed  of  him  by  all  who  then  made  his  acquaintance.  But  that 
which  chiefly  made  him  dear  to  you  was  owing  to  the  grace  of  God 
in  him,  which  more  fitted  him  for  higher  and  holier  scenes.  Let 
heaven  have  him,  my  dear  friends,  and  instead  of  mourning  that  he 
is  so  early  taken  from  you,  be  thankful  that  you  had  him  so  many 
years,  and  that  now  you  have  a  son  with  Christ 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  71 

CHARLES  H.  WOLFF,  Esq.,  a  merchant  of  Cincinnati, 
with  whom  William  kept  up  a  constant  correspond- 
ence, writes  to  Mr.  D.  W.  Denison,  uncle  to  the  de- 
ceased : — 

CINCINNATI,  April  13,  1863. 

The  painful  intelligence  of  the  death  of  our  dear  young 

friend  Willie  reached  me  several  days  ago.  I  loved  him  as  a 
brother,  and  mourn  him  as  one  of  my  dearest  friends.  Aside  from 
his  estimable  character,  there  was  that  peculiar  magnetism  of  love  in 
and  around  him  that  drew  one  imperceptibly  to  more  than  value 
his  friendship. 

It  was  one  of  the  happy  plans,  sprung  directly  from  my  heart, 
to  have  him  visit  us  here.  At  first  I  only  included  himself,  but  after- 
wards her  whom  he  had  chosen  for  a  companion  through  life.  This 
now  is  all  changed,  and  must  be  deferred  till  we  meet  in  that  better 
world.  To  me,  this  day  there  is  added  a  new  interest  in  that  heaven 
above  where  he  has  preceded  us  for  a  short  time  only ;  for  these 
rapid  moving  moments  are  short,  though  they  should  be  lengthened 
out  to  three  or  four  score  years. 

Your  graphic  and  delicate  description  of  his  last  moments 

is  very  touching  and  satisfactory.  His  pious  life  was  a  sure  guar- 
antee as  to  what  his  end  would  be.  He  died  in  peace,  and  is  now 
in  heaven.  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  .away ; 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

Rev.  WILLIAM  B.  SPRAGUE,  D.D.,  of  Albany,  N.  Y., 

writes : — 

ALBANY,  April  16,  1863. 

....  I  cannot  forbear  to  write  you,  partly  to  congratulate  you 
on  your  being  such  a  favoured  mourner,  and  partly  to  express  my 
own  personal  sense  of  the  loss  of  one  whom  I  had  always  thought 
of  as  a  dear  young  friend.  He  made  a  most  agreeable  impression 
upon  us  all,  not  merely  by  his  devoted  attentions  to  Dr.  Edgar,  but 
by  the  kindliness,  and  manliness,  and  propriety  of  his  whole  bear- 
ing. His  graceful  form,  and  beautiful  expression  of  countenance, 


72  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

and  modest  demeanour,  and  fine  powers  of  conversation,  are  as 
vividly  in  my  remembrance  as  if  I  had  seen  him  but  the  other  day. 
....  You  surely  have  every  reason  to  think  of  his  departure  with 
devout  thankfulness,  much  as  your  heart  may  bleed  in  view  of  it. 
That  one  whose  life  has  been  so  brief  should  have  accomplished  so 
much  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  then  gone  to  heaven  in  a  chariot 
of  glory,  and  been  permitted  to  speak  to  you  of  his  blessed  expe- 
rience just  as  he  was  reaching  his  glorious  home,  furnishes  an 
occasion  for  gratitude  which.  I  venture  to  say,  you  reckon  among 
the  richest  blessings  of  your  life.  With  all  the  sadness  which  his 
death  has  brought  with  it,  I  cannot  doubt  that  it  will  make  the  rest 
of  your  pilgrimage  the  more  happy,  that  you  can  reflect  that  you 
have  educated  one  son  for  heaven,  who  has  preceded  you  in  the  way 
thither,  and  will  be  ready  to  greet  you  with  his  filial  benedictions 
on  your  arrival 

EDWARD  S.  TOBEY,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  of  Boston,  writes  :— 

BOSTON,  April  19,  1863. 

....  What  a  peculiar  and  rich  blessing  you  have  in  the  evidence 
of  a  triumphal  faith  in  the  last  moments  of  your  son — in  the  con- 
soling last  words  that  fell  from  his  lips ;  and  also  in  the  cheering 
recollection  of  his  holy,  early  consecrated,  and  consistent  life  and 
character  !  Truly  indeed  "  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed. "  How 
Comforting  the  thought  that  he  is  no  longer  subject  to  the  sufferings, 
trials,  and  many  disappointed  hopes  of  a  delusive  world ;  but  is  now 
rejoicing  in  the  smile  of  his  blessed  Saviour,  and  has  securely 
reached  that  happy  world  where  there  shall  be  no  more  sin  and  no 
more  suffering !  .  .  .  . 

I  do  not  forget  that  the  loss  of  companionship  and  hourly 
sympathy  on  earth,  of  one  so  pre-eminently  qualified  to  fulfil  the 
fond  expectation  of  a  parent's  heart,  is  irreparable ;  but  then,  how 
brief  the  period  before  you  shall  be  permitted  to  be  with  him  !  We, 
dear  brother,  have  arrived  at  that  period  of  life  when  we  realize,  as 
we  never  could  in  earlier  life,  that  it  is  indeed  but  "  a  span,  a  vapour, 
that  appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and  then  vanisheth  away."  .... 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  73 

Rev.  ALEXANDER  T.  M'GiLL,  D.D.,  Professor  in  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Princeton,  who  was  one  of  William's 
most  esteemed  friends,  thus  writes  : — 

PRINCETON,  April  20,  1863. 

Theie  are  not  many  houses  in  which  the  memory  of  William  is 
more  embalmed  than  in  mine.  The  visit  he  made  in  the  summer  of 
1860  left  a  memorial  with  my  wife  and  children,  to  which  they  often 
turned  with  interest  long  before  we  apprehended  he  would  be 
removed  so  soon  to  his  home  in  heaven.  I  was  absent  in  Europe. 

A  friend  of  Mary,  Miss  G of  Brooklyn,  was  on  a  visit ;  George 

was  at  home  ;  Wm.  H ,  son  of  Dr.  H of  Philadelphia,  was 

then  in  the  last  vacation  of  his  course  as  a  student  of  the  Seminary ; 
and  the  whole  party,  Mrs.  M'Gill  says,  were  full  of  life  and 
gaiety. 

The    family   worship   was    led  by   Mr.    H ,    William,    and 

George,  in  rotation.  But  the  prayers  of  William  were  so  rich,  and 
pertinent,  and  full  of  unction,  that  he  impressed  every  one  with  the 
deepest  interest ;  touched  the  hearts  of  the  children  as  well  as  the 
mother,  and  his  mirthful  companions ;  leaving  on  every  one  the 
vivid  and  indelible  impression  that  he  was  pre-eminently  devout  in 
heart.  And,  though  playful  as  a  child,  he  was  even  revered  by  his 
company  for  the  heavenly  fervour  with  which  he  would  lead  them  at 
a  throne  of  grace. 

I  think  it  proper  to  write  down  this  incident,  and  offer  it  to  you, 
in  the  tide  of  our  heartfelt  sympathy  and  condolence.  I  could  say 
much  more — of  his  kindness  to  my  son  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  high 
estimation  in  which  George  held  both  his  mind  and  heart. 

We  think  and  talk  here  every  day  of  your  sorrow,  and  that  of 
your  dear  family.  But  oh,  what  consolation  you  have  !  Sad  as  you  are, 
you  know  how  safely  that  sainted  first-born  has  reached  the  haven, 

where  no  storm  or  danger  of  any  kind  may  reach  him May 

"  the  God  of  all  consolation  "  bless  you  and  yours,  beyond  what  I  can 
ask  or  think. 

Rev.  JAMES  MOOREHEAD,  Presbyterian  Minister,  Dona- 


74  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

cloney,  County  Down,  Ireland,  who  was  Mr.  Stuart's 
pastor  before  his  coming  to  this  country,  thus 
writes : — 

LAMB'S  ISLAND,  DONACLONEY, 
April  21, 1863. 

It  is  with. unusual  sadness  I  sit  down  to  express  to  you  our 
very  deep  sympathy  under  your  heavy  bereavement.  We  have  just 
learned  that  on  the  7th  instant  your  gifted,  amiable,  and  sainted  son 
was  taken  from  you  by  death.  Although  we  had  heard  his  health 
was  not  good  for  some  time  past,  his  removal  has  been  a  great 
shock  here  ;  and  what  will  and  must  it  be  to  his  parents,  and  young 
wife,  and  tender  and  attached  sisters !  He  must  have  greatly  en- 
deared himself  to  all  who  knew  him.  His  spirit  seemed  to  have 
drunk  in  much  of  the  mind  of  our  Lord.  His  bearing  was  so 
gentle  and  kind,  his  appearance  so  prepossessing,  and  his  gifts  of 
thought  and  utterance  so  commanding,  that  we  thought  him  des- 
tined for  great  and  lengthened  usefulness  on  earth.  Now  we  see 
he  was  only  early  prepared,  and  I  would  suppose  well  ripened  for 
glory.  His  eloquent  and  earnest  address  to  our  young  people  in 
the  Sabbath  school,  and  his  captivating  deportment  for  a  few  hours 
in  our  family  circle,  cannot  soon  be  forgotten  by  any  of  us  here. 
We  had  hoped  to  see  him  again  in  the  flesh.  The  Lord,  "who 
doeth  all  things  well,"  has  ordered  otherwise.  May  he  give  us  grace 
to  be  submissive  under  his  hand.  I  know  natural  affection  is  not 
weakened  in  the  furthest  advanced  believers  here.  It  will  claim, 
and  may  have  its  tears  and  sighs.  The  hearts  that  love  Jesus  most 
are  most  susceptible  of  tender  feelings  in  their  natural  attachments. 
Our  Lord  wept  at  the  grave  of  Lazarus,  and  David  lamented  sorely 
the  death  of  Absalom.  We  may  sorrow  under  such  dark  and 
trying  providences;  but,  dearly  beloved,  I  do  hope  you  and 
yours  will  not  repine.  You  cannot  sorrow  as  those  who  have 
no  hope. 


Mr.  GEORGE  MACFARLANE,  (formerly  of  Philadelphia,) 
a  friend  and  companion  of  Willie's,  and  one  who  fre- 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  75 

quently  accompanied  him  in  his  mission  school  visits  and 
operations,  thus  writes  from  Scotland : — 

DALKEITH,  May  4,  1863. 

The  sad  tidings  that  have  recently  reached  me,  that  your  house- 
hold has  so  suddenly  been  turned  into  a  family  of  mourners,  by  the 
removal  of  one  of  its  dearest  members,  came  upon  me  so  unexpect- 
edly that  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  realize  it.  I  had  seen  Willie  here 
so  lately,  and  apparently  in  such  good  health,  and  then  so  soon  after 
heard  the  news  of  his  happy  marriage,  that  I  cannot  appreciate  the 
fact  that  the  gushing,  joyous  stream  of  his  life  has  so  soon  fallen 
into  the  silence  of  eternity. 

I  cannot,  I  dare  not,  try  to  comfort  you  in  this  sad  bereavement. 
I  know  you  seek  it  above,  where  alone  it  can  be  found.  Would 
that  I  could  help  to  ease  you  of  this  weary  burden  of  grief  that  a 
mysterious  Providence  has  laid  upon  you.  But.  I  cannot :  I  can 
only  weep  with  you 

My  memories  of  William  D.  Stuart  have  been,  and  shall  always 
be,  of  the  most  pleasant  character.  His  kind,  affectionate  man- 
ner,— his  warm,  impulsive,  generous  nature, — all  added  their  charms 
to  his  character,  and  made  any  one  happy  who  could  call  \\imfriend. 
And  when  those  natural  gifts  were  purified  and  heightened  by  the 
grace  of  God  shed  abroad  in  his  heart,  no  one  who  knew  him  could 
help  loving  him. 

I  can  never  forget  the  active  and  intelligent  co-operation  he  was 
ever  so  willing  to  lend  in  every  work  where  the  advancement  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom  was  concerned  ;  and  doubt  not  that  his  hap- 
piness is,  and  will  be  enhanced,  by  the  presence  of  those  who  through 
his  instrumentality  have  been  led  to  the  Saviour 

Mrs.  NOTT,  wife  of  Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott,  D.D.,  the 
distinguished  President  of  Union  College,  Schenectady, 
N.  Y.,  writes  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stuart : — 

UNION  COLLEGE,  Alay  6,  1863. 

My  first  impulse,  when  I  saw  the  death  of  your  dear  son  in  a 
Philadelphia  paper,  kindly  sent  me,  was  to  write  at  once  to  assure 


76  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

you  of  the  heartfelt  sympathy  of  Dr.  Nott  and  myself;  but  what 
could  I  say  to  comfort  those  whom  God  had  smitten  ?  I  know  that 
the  Being  to  whose  service  your  precious  son  had  early  consecrated 
himself  was  the  only  one  who  could  pour  the  oil  of  consolation 
into  your  wounded  hearts ;  and  I  believed  that  he  would  do  so. 
Has  he  not? 

What  joy  must  have  filled  your  hearts  as  you  heard  his  dying 
exclamation,  —  "I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth!"  And  so  the  young 
Christian  hero  died.  The  battle  was  ended,  the  victory  won. 
''Thanks  be  to  God,  who  gave  him  the  victory  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ." 

Dr.  Nott,  whose  health  is  very  feeble,  desires  me  to  say,  "  that 
you  should  be  grateful  to  God  for  having  had  such  a  son."  He 
was  deeply  affected  by  the  allusion,  in  the  very  beautiful  memo- 
rial in  the  Presbyterian,  to  the  group  of  coloured  children  and  people 
who  mourned  his  loss  on  the  day  of  his  burial.  Nothing  could  have 
been  more  touching.  "  Why  am  I  spared,  while  the  young  and  the 
gifted  are  taken  ?  Even  so,  Father  ;  for  so  it  seemeth  good  in  thy 
sight,"  was  his  language,  when  I  announced  to  him  the  death  of  your 


Colonel  JAMES  GWYN,  of  i  i8th  Regiment  Penn.  Volun- 
teers, writes  from — 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  n8TH  REGT.  P.  V., 
CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  VA.,  May  9,  1863. 

I  had  commenced  ,a  letter  to  you  some  two  weeks  since ;  but 
the  sudden  movement  of  the  army,  calling  me  to  active  exertiqns  in 
having  my  command  thoroughly  equipped,  gave  me  no  opportunity 
of  completing  it.  Amid  the  din  of  the  late  battle-fields  I  still  had 
time  to  think  of  you  and  your  late  severe  affliction— to  feel  for  and 
to  mourn  with  you. 

Willie  was  indeed  to  me  as  a  dearly  beloved  young  brother: 
perhaps  no  brother  ever  loved  another  more  deeply  than  I  loved 
him.  I  had  known  him  so  long.  He  had,  from  a  little  prattling 
child,  grown  up  under  my  eyes  to  a  tall  handsome  man.  As  he 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  77 

grew  up,  he  was  continually  engaged  in  doing  good.  Truly  the 
ways  of  God  are  inscrutable.  The  tree  here  cut  down  was  not 
cumbering  the  ground,  but  bringing  forth  fruit. 

Had  I  not  seen  him  the  last  time  I  was  at  home,  I  could  not 
have  realized  his  death  ;  but  when  I  saw  his  poor  emaciated  form,  I 
felt  that  he  must  soon  leave  you.  I  felt  sick  at  heart  when  I  bade 
him  farewell ;  and  never  will  I  forget  his  warm  grasp  of  the  hand 
and  sweet  smile,  when  he  said,  "  God  Almighty  bless  and  protect 
you ! — good-bye."  With  difficulty  I  restrained  my  tears,  as  I  left 
your  house  with  a  heavy  heart. 

But  why  should  you  be  sad  ?  I  am  sure  he  whom  you  mourn 
could  say  with  Paul,  "I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished 
my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith :  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for 
me  a  crown  of  righteousness."  I  need  not  say  to  you  where  you  can 
receive  consolation.  You  have  so  often  pointed  out  the  .way  to 
others,  that  I  am  sure  you  have  received  from  God's  mercy- 
seat  that  rest  which  he  has  promised  to  all  the  weary  and  heavy 
laden. 

Please  say  to  Mrs.  Stuart  and  the  young  widow  that  from  my 
inmost  soul  I  sympathize  with  them — I  mourn  with  them 


CHARLES  H.  WOLFF,  Esq.,  Cincinnati,  in  a  second 
letter  thus  writes: — 

CINCINNATI,  May  it,  1863. 

The  Presbyterian  of  the' 2nd  instant  is  just  to  hand,  containing  a 
notice  of  the  character  and  demise  of  my  dear  friend  William. 
Many  young  men  whom  I  highly  esteemed  have  gone  to  the  better 
world,  but  the  death  of  none  of  them  affected  me  so  poignantly  as 
the  death  of  your  son.  The  brief  biography  is  so  touchingly  beau- 
tiful, and  so  truthful  in  all  its  delineations,  that  you  will  much 
oblige  me  by  giving  me  the  author's  name. 

Were  it  not  that  my  heart  reposes  in  the  wisdom  and  goodness 
of  our  heavenly  Father,  it  would  ask,  Wherefore,  O  Lord,  hast 
thou  caused  this  dire  calamity  to  come  upon  us?  But,  with  the 
Psalmist,  let  me  say,  "  I  was  dumb,  because  thou  didst  it."  "  The 


78  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord." 

The  loss  to  your  family  circle  is  irreparable,  and  my  deepest 
sympathies  are  with  you.  I  cannot  write  more,  my  heart  is  too 
full.  . 


Rev.  R.  MACDONALD,  North  Leith,  an  eminent 
minister  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  inti- 
mate friend  of  the  late  Rev.  R.  Murray  M'Cheyne.  He 
and  William  visited  together  the  Island  of  Arran,  and 
became  mutually  interested  in  each  other. 

NORTH  LEITH,  jfime  17,  1863. 

I  have  read  with  intense  and  sorrowful  interest  all  that  has  been 
said  and  written  about  your  sorely  missed  and  beloved  son.  His 
unexpected  removal,  just  when  he  was  becoming  so  eminently  use- 
ful and  so  highly  appreciated,  is  a  most  mysterious  providence. 
Yet  I  feel  sure  that,  through  Christ  strengthening  you,  you  will 
be  able  sweetly  to  trust  your  Lord,  even  when  ycai  cannot  trace 
him,  and  to  say  from  the  heart,  "  He  hath  done  all  things 
well." 

It  may  be  emphatically  said  of  your  dear  and  honoured  son, 
"  He  lived  much  in  little  time."  And  one  striking  proof  of  this  is 
the  fact  that,  young  as  he  was,  he  has  been  so  universally  and  ten- 
derly lamented.  The  accounts  given  of  the  feeling  manifested 
forcibly  recalled  to  me  the  touching  words  of  inspiration, — "  Devout 
men  carried  him  to  his  burial,  and  made  great  lamentation  over 
him." 

I  will  always  reckon  it  one  of  the  privileges  of  my  life  that 
I  enjoyed  so  much  pleasant  intercourse  with  him  during  his  so- 
journ in  Arran,  about  two  years  ago.  He  was  so  sweetly  lively 
in  spirit,  so  enlightened,  so  large-hearted,  so  manly,  and,  above 
all,  so  nobly  Christian,  that  it  was  impossible  not  to  admire 
and  love  him.  I  was  greatly  struck  with  wTiat  the  Banner  truly 
calls  "his  whole-hearted  devotion  to  the  cause  of  his  Saviour;" 
and  with  his  self-sacrificing  and  unsparing  labours  as  the 


LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE.  79 

superintendent  of  the  mission  school  for  coloured  children. 
His  labours  will  not  be  in  vain,  and  I  doubt  not  that  the  crown 
he  will  receive  from  the  Lord  he  loved  so  well  will  be  a  very 
bright  one. 

I  feel  very  deeply  for  you,  for  a  sorer  bereavement  than  that 
you  have  experienced  I  cannot  easily  conceive.  Blessed  be  God, 
however,  you  can  mingle  much  joy  with  your  sorrow,  for  you  have 
the  most  assured  conviction  that  your  loss  has  been  his  unspeakable 
gain ;  and  I  have  every  confidence  that  you  will  be  able  to  say  with 
one  of  your  own  great  American  missionaries,  when  he  lost  in  the 
prime  of  life  a  dearly  beloved  son — "  If  my  Lord  would  rather  that 
he  should  serve  him  in  heaven  than  serve  him  here  on  earth,  why 
should  I  say  nay?" 

In  the  course  of  my  lecture  last  Sabbath  afternoon  I  especially 
referred  to  your  dear  son  by  name;  and  after  stating  some  facts 
regarding  him,  earnestly  urged  the  young  men  of  my  congregation 
to  follow  his  bright  example.  I  trust  many  of  them  may  be  moved 
to  do  so  by  the  blessed  Spirit 


Rev.  JOHN  EDGAR,  D.D.,  Belfast,  Ireland,  Professor 
in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Ireland,  thus  writes : — 

BELFAST,  June  22,  1863 

I  have  often  tried  to  muster  courage  to  write  to  you.  My 
spirit  has  been  heavily  bowed  down  by  the  state  of  your  country. 
A  ray  of  light  seems  to  break  in  now.  God  grant  that  you  may 
soon  have  once  more  the  blessings  of  peace.  Since  I  was  with  you, 
'  many  of  those  I  saw  then  I  shall  see  again  no  more.  My  dear 
travelling  companion,  who  was  to  me  as  my  own  son — faithful, 
attentive,  and  kind — gone.  I  shall  go  to  him,  but  he  shall  not  come 
to  me.  It  gives  me  the  highest  pleasure  to  hear  of  his  own  last 
scenes  and  triumphs,  and  of  the  very  many  who  rightly  prized  his 
worth.  The  news  came  on  me  at  first  like  an  electric  shock ;  but 
it  was  soothing  afterwards  to  find  that  you  and  he  had  been  pre- 
viously warned  that  he  was  a  mere  tenant  at  will.  The  departure 

G 


8o 


MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 


at  the  last  was  like  what  Pollok  describes  his  sister's — •"  calm,  self- 
possessed,  cheerful,  triumphant."  You  have  a  stronger  hold  than 
ever  both  on  this  world  and  the  next ;  on  this,  for  usefulness  ;  on 

the  next,  for  glory May  God  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in 

believing,  and  multiply  to  you  and  yours  continually  his  great  loving- 
kindnesses.  . 


EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  DIARY 


WILLIAM  DAVID  STUART. 


DIARY. 


JJABBATH,///;^  8, 1856.— This  morning  I  drove 
to  Rev.  Mr.  H.'s  church  in  Germantown,  and 
heard  him  preach  a  very  impressive  sermon 
on  the  death  of  Nadab  and  Abihu  for  their 
sin  in  putting  strange  fire  in  their  censers  to  burn  before 
the  Lord.  The  conclusion  was  especially  directed  to  the 
unconverted.  After  dinner  retired  to  my  room,  where 
I  spend  most  of  my  spare  time.  I  have  been  thinking, 
especially  lately,  of  my  former  resolution  of  turning  my 
attention  to  the  ministry ;  and  after  looking  at  it  in  every 
light,  have  at  last  concluded,  that  if  it  please  God  to  call 
me,  I  will  offer  myself,  soul  and  body,  to  His  service,  and 
thus  endeavour  to  fulfil  my  engagements,  and  win  souls 
to  Jesus.  How  much  better  is  the  service  of  God  than 
that  of  the  world  ! 

Sabbath,  Aug.  17. — Started  for  town  at  8.  At  Sabbath 
school  had  a  class  of  three.  After  dinner  Messrs.  G.  and 
M'F.  called  for  me,  and  we  went  first  to  the  carpenter 
shop,  and  then  to  Amita  Street.  Addressed  the  latter 
school  for  about  twenty-five  minutes — tried  to  impress 
upon  them  three  things  :  ist.  They  are  preparing  for  an 


84  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1856. 

eternity  either  in  heaven  or  hell ;  2nd.  Love  to  Christ ; 
3rd.  Each  little  boy  and  girl  can  do  something.  I  felt 
that  I  was  speaking  for  their  souls,  and  did  my  best  to 
produce  an  impression — hope  I  was  successful.  The 
S.  S.  teacher  has  a  very  important  work  to  do.  Sooner 
or  later  all  must  die.  Are  we  prepared  1  If  so,  well ;  if 
not,  hasten! 

Friday,  Aug.  22. — Every  day  I  am  more  and  more 
impressed  with  the  necessity  of  studying  for  the  ministry. 
Oh  that  God  would  give  me  sufficient  grace  never  to  look 
back,  but  to  press  forward  in  His  service  !  and,  when  the 
hour  shall  come  that  I  must  be  separated  from  all  those 
who  are  near  and  dear  to  me,  may  I  not  shrink  back  nor 
falter,  but  boldly  exclaim,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ? 
O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?"  and  ascend  to  glory,  there 
to  wait  at  the  footstool  of  God,  and  sing  His  praises 
throughout  all  eternity.  I  often  find  great  difficulty  whilst 
praying,  to  keep  my  heart  completely  shut  from  the  things 
of  this  world,  and  my  thoughts  fixed  on  heaven.  I  must 
still  persevere,  and  God  will  in  no  wise  cast  me  out.  We 
should  be  thankful  that  Almighty  God  has  protected  us 
from  pestilence  and  disease  of  every  kind  during  the 
summer,  now  nearly  past.  Shall  we  ever  see  another  1 
Who  can  tell  ? 

Tuesday,  Atig.  26. — Rose  at  3.40.  Had  worship  and 
breakfast  with  Nanna.  Arrived  at  Milton  at  12.  The 
ride  was  pleasant,  and  Nanna  enjoyed  the  scenery  very 
much.  I  should  enjoy  walking  from  Summit  to  Danville, 
with  my  sketch-book  and  fishing-rod,  to  contemplate  the 
curious  formation  of  the  strata,  and  to  gather  for  mother 
the  beautiful  moss  hanging  from  the  trees.  It  was  amus- 
ing to  watch  the  various  persons  in  the  cars  this  morning. 


ALtat.  16.]  DIARY.  85 

Behind  us  sat  a  man  and  wife,  of  the  "  would  be  woulds." 
Before  reaching  Reading,  we  were  pretty  well  posted  up 
in  all  their  family  affairs.  She  made  the  car  her  dressing- 
room.  Beside  us  sat  a  couple  of  old  maids,  who  amused 
themselves  with  eating  all  the  way; — in  front  a  snobbish 
young  man — his  feet  on  the  seats  (not  a  very  gentlemanly 
accomplishment),  and  answered  his  sisters  in  rough  yeses 
and  noes.  So  the  time  passed. 

Saturday,  Aug.  30 — MILTON. — I  have  felt  more  ease 
of  mind  for  the  last  day  or  two.  Oh  that  Christ  would 
shed  abroad  His  glorious  light  in  my  heart,  and  show  me 
the  way  to  heaven. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  31 — MILTON. — Beautiful  morning.  Very 
unwell — raging  nervous  headache.  Read  to  M. ; — walked 
with  her  and  her  brother  L.  to  church.  Rev.  Mr.  W. 
preached  a  very  impressive  sermon  from  the  text,  "  The 
harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is  ended,  and  we  are  not 
saved."  Some  of  his  points  seemed  to  be  directed  at 
me.  I  felt  that  indeed  the  harvest  was  past,  and  I  still 
out  of  heaven.  Oh,  my  God,  strengthen  me.  Show,  oh 
show  me  my  Saviour.  Teach  me  to  know  and  feel  that 
I  can  do  nothing  of  myself,  but  Christ  is  all  and  in  all. 
Make  me  to  feel  there  is  balm  in  Gilead,  a  great  physician 
there,  who  is  both  able  and  ready  to  heal.  I  hope  I  have 
done  what  becomes  a  son  of  an  elder,  a  S.  S.  teacher,  and 
more  than  that,  one  who  is  looking  forward  to  enlisting 
under  the  banner  of  Jesus. 

I  wonder  how  my  dear  S.  S.  class  is  to-day  :  though 
not  with  them  in  the  body,  I  am  in  the  spirit.  Oh  that 
God  would  make  my  labour  effectual  amongst  them  !  Just 
think  !  their  immortal  souls  are  committed  to  my  care. 
I  must  not  betray  the  trust  thus  reposed  in  me  by  my 


86  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUAR7\          [1856. 

Saviour.  Prayer — constant,  earnest,  heartfelt  prayer — is 
one  of  the  great  means ;  and  God  will  surely  answer.  I 
must  set  them  a  consistent,  holy  example. 

The  communion  is  now  approaching — the  time  when, 
if  God  spare  my  life,  I'  intend  to  make  a  public  profes- 
sion of  my  faith  in  Jesus  and  dependence  on  Him.  May 
it  not  only  be  a  public,  but  a  private  profession  ;  may  it 
be  a  prayerful  one  ;  may  it  be  an  acceptable  one.  May 
I  be  enabled  to  say,  "  Let  others  do  as  they  will,  as  for 
me,  I  will  serve  the  Lord."  Oh  may  Jesus  kindle,  with  a 
coal  from  the  divine  altar,  the  heavenly  fire  in  my  heart, 
to  feel  that  to  live  and  die  for  Him  is  all  my  desire — all 
that  I  live  for.  I  feel  now  that  I  would  rather  die  than 
deny  Christ — that  the  world  can  kill  my  poor  mortal 
body,  but,  thanks  unto  God,  it  cannot  touch  this  soul. 
Ah,  no !  it  belongs  to  Jesus  :  He  gave  it,  and  he  only 
can  take  it  away.  He  will  receive  a  poor  sinner  like  me, 
if  I  come  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  "  Come,  unto  me,"  He 
says,  "  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest."  I  will  support  you  throughout  this  troubled 
world ;  I  will  be  with  you  in  the  hour  of  trial,  when  the 
dearest  friend  has  forsaken  you  ;  and  when  the  cold  hand 
of  death  is  upon  you  I  will  bear  you  aloft  to  the  mansions 
prepared  for  you  in  glory. 

What  an  honour  it  is  to  be  a  minister — to  preach  the 
gospel  of  Jesus !  Would  that  my  life  might  be  spared  (if 
it  be  His  will)  to  proclaim  the  glad  tidings  of  great  joy 
to  perishing  people  ! 

After  dinner,  retired  to  my  room  to  read  and  meditate. 
Read  in  "  Gleanings  among  the  Mountains,  or  Traditions 
of  the  Covenanters  " — a  most  interesting  book.  What 
great  persecutions  God's  people  have  suffered  in  defence 


sEtat.  1 6.]  DIARY.  87 

of  his  word !  Oh,  ye  who  sought  to  obtain  renown  by  the 
persecution  of  the  saints,  where  now  is  your  fame  1  Your 
name  is  a  reproach,  and  only  remembered  to  be  despised ; 
while  those  whom  ye  considered  as  worse  than  dogs — 
whom  ye  oppressed  and  killed  by  scores  as  pestilent  and 
worthless  beings,  are  now  honoured  in  heaven.  Sleep  on. 
ye  bleeding  bodies  of  the  saints !  sleep  in  your  mossy  bed, 
sleep  in  the  martyr's  winding-sheet ;  and  while  ye  sleep 
ye  shall  not  be  unattended :  posterity  shall  guard  your 
couch,  and  point  out  your  cot  to  the  passing  traveller ; 
and  He  in  whose  service  you  fell,  and  in  whose  sight  the 
blood  of  His  saints  is  dear,  will  at  length  raise  you  from 
your  lowly  bed  to  shine  among  the  sons  of  light  in  God's 
own  house,  and  in  His  own  presence,  throughout  the 
ceaseless  ages  of  an  ever-blessed  eternity.  To  you  indeed 
to  live  was  Christ,  and  to  die  was  gain.  You  shall  wear 
a  crown  brilliant  with  innumerable  gems,  for  you  counted 
not  your  lives  dear  unto  you  that  you  might  finish  your 
course  with  joy. 

Monday,  Sept.  i — MILTON. — Aunt  Mary  P.  has  con- 
cluded to  go  to  Niagara,  which  will  make  our  party  still 
more  agreeable.  At  12  we  went  to  the  Rail  Road,  and 
when  the  cars  came,  Nellie  and  uncle  D.  made  their 
appearance.  Reached  the  Suspension  Bridge  at  12 

Tuesday,  Sept.  2 — NIAGARA.  —  Rose  at  4.  Took  a 
short  walk  before  breakfast  to  see  the  sun  rise  on  the 
Falls.  After  breakfast  we  went  on  board  the  hew  steamer, 
Maid  of  the  Mi-st,  and  having  donned  oil-cloth  suits, 
prepared  to  pass  almost  under  the  Falls.  How  grand  ! 
This  is  Thy  work,  O  mighty  God  !  Went  over  to  Goat 
Island,  and  there  having  rested  ourselves  a  few  minutes, 
we  started  for  the  end  nearest  the  American  Fall.  Here 


88  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1856. 

a  scene  of  terrific  grandeur  burst  upon  our  view  :  at  our 
feet  the  centre  Fall,  the  water  rushing,  tumbling,  plunging, 
as  if  in  wild  despair,  before  making  the  fatal  leap,  and 
then  dashing  itself,  as  if  in  a  dying  effort,  on  the  rocks 
below.  M.  and  I  went  to  Prospect  Tower,  from  which 
the  view  is  equally  grand.  Goat  Island  is  one  of  nature's 
mightiest  cathedrals  :  its  majestic  pines  are  its  fluted 
columns ;  and  its  mighty  organ  pours  forth  in  notes,  too 
grand  to  be  mistaken,  the  praise  of  its  glorious  Creator. 

Thursday,  Sept.  25. — Went  to  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Debating 
Society.  Declaimed.  Elected  Corresponding  Secretary. 
Had  a  spirited  debate. 

Thursday,  Oct.  2. — Went  to  college  as  usual.  After- 
wards painted  till  3.  In  the  evening  went  to  Debating 
Society,  and  led  in  the  affirmative  of  a  debate  on  the 
question,  "  Has  the  war  with  Russia  promoted  Chris- 
tianity ]"  Gained  my  side. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  19. — After  worship,  papa  handed  me  a 
letter  from  my  dear  pastor  urging  me  to  join  the  church. 
Why  should  I  delay  ?  Life  is  uncertain ;  death  is  sure. 
I  may  not  live  to  see  another  communion  season. 

Went  to  the  Home  *  and  brought  up  the  children. 

Taught  my  class  this  afternoon  from  i  Cor.  xv.,  and 
tried  to  impress  upon  their  tender  minds  the  necessity  of 
receiving  Christ.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  prayer-meet- 
ing for  the  young  men  of  the  church.  I  enjoyed  it  ex- 
ceedingly. Truly  this  has  been  a  day  of  refreshing  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord.  O  God,  open  mine  heart — 
bring  me  to  Thee.  Let  me  no  longer  be  out  of  the  fold 

*  The  Home  for  Friendless  Children.  The  children  were  permitted  to  come 
up,  under  the  escort  of  one  of  the  teachers,  to  the  Sabbath  school  of  the  First 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  on  the  Sabbath,  for  instruction. 


1 6.]  DIARY.  89 

of  Christ,  my  Saviour  and  Redeemer.  Thou  art  my  Rock 
and  the  God  of  my  salvation. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  26. — Went  to  prayer-meeting  before  S. 
school.  Much  pleased,  and  felt  fitted  for  my  labours. 
During  the  past  week  J.  N.  was  removed.  I  hope  that 
through  the  grace  of  God  I  did  him  good.  Afternoon, 
school.  I  see  W.  M.  has  come  back.  Oh  that  he  would 
stay  !  I  think  I  am  beginning  to  see  more  of  Christ ; 
but  still  how  far  from  Him  am  I  yet!  Prayer  is  the 
sinner's  only  hope.  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God.  Show 
me  myself.  Show  me  Thyself. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  16. — After  church  went  to  the  study  [of 
the  pastor]  and  expressed  my  desire  openly  to  enlist 
under  the  standard  of  Jesus,  for  He  is  our  only  safety 
and  Rock  of  defence.  Oh  that  He  would  give  me  grace 
never  to  dishonour  my  position,  for  it  is  a  high  one. 
Just  think !  a  soldier  of  King  Emmanuel !  a  position  which 
the  loftiest  of  earth's  potentates  might  indeed  rejoice  in. 
God  has  said,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  If  we 
only  trust  in  Him,  coming  with  an  humble,  contrite  heart, 
He  will  supply  us  with  all  needful  grace  from  the  fountain 
opened  in  the  house  of  David.  Went  down  to  Marion 
Street,  and  had  a  very  interesting  meeting — spoke  for 
about  twenty  minutes.  We  know  not  what  good,  with 
God's  blessing,  may  result.  We  can  do  nothing  of  our- 
selves. I  think  I  am  beginning  to  see  some  good  in  my 
class.  W.  H.  and  J.  P.  both  seem  to  be  religiously  in- 
clined, especially  the  former.  They  are  yet  young,  but 
not  too  young  to  die — not  too  young  to  be  saved.  If 
there  have  been  impressions  for  good  made  upon  them, 
O  God  strengthen  and  confirm  them.  Make  them  orna- 
ments to  Thy  Church  below  and  take  them  at  last  to 


90  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1856. 

Thyself.  I  am  afraid  E.  B.  is  rather  wayward;  still,  I 
will  not  cease  to  pray  for  him,  that  God  will  open  his 
heart  to  the  reception  of  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  to  see 
the  awful  position  in  which  he  is  standing,  and  lead  him 
to  the  foot  of  the  Cross.  God  will  always  answer  prayer 
when  He  thinks  it  is  best. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  30. — Preparation  Sabbath.  Went  over 
to  the  prayer-meeting,  and  down  to  the  Home  for  the 
boys.  Spoke  to  my  class  about  the  salvation  of  their 
souls ;  showed  them  the  difference  between  the  two  cove- 
nants ;  and  gave  them  that  beautiful  verse,  "  I  love  them 
that  love  me,"  &c.,  to  remember,  and  guide  them  through- 
out the  week.  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  T.  made  a  very  touching 
address  in  the  church.  He  showed  that  the  first  thing 
the  Christian  did  when  he  had  found  Christ  was  to  go  to 
his  nearest  and  dearest  friends  and  relatives,  and  bring 
them  also  to  the  Messiah.  I  thought — It  is  my  duty,  and 
how  much  would  I  love  to  be  the  humble  instrument  of 
bringing  my  dear  M.  to  the  Saviour — to  place  the  crown 
of  her  salvation  on  the  head  of  her  Redeemer. 

Before  tea,  went  to  my  room  and  spent  a  few  minutes 
in  prayer.  Went  over  to  the  prayer-meeting.  It  was  one 
of  deep  interest— the  very  room  seemed  fragrant  with  the 
air  of  heaven,  a  sweet  foretaste  of  the  happy,  blessed 
eternity  we  shall  enjoy  in  the  realms  of  God.  Why 
should  we  fear  to  come  to  God  at  His  holy  table,  not  in 
our  own  righteousness,  but  placing  all  our  faith  and 
dependence  on  Him  1 

TJiursday,  Dec.  4. — Very  cold.  Went  to  church. 
Sabbath  will  be  communion.  Oh  that  God  would  give 
me  grace  to  come  having  on  the  wedding  garment  of 
Christ's  righteousness. 


DIARY.  91 

Friday,  Dec.  5. — Evening,  went  over  to  the  church 
and  was  formally  received  by  the  Session  as  a  member 
of  the  Church  of  the  living  God.  I  have  now  taken  the 
step  that  separates  me  from  the  world.  It  is  an  import- 
ant one — one  which  I  shall  never,  I  am  sure,  regret. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  7. — Went  to  prayer-meeting  at  9 — took 
part  in  the  exercises.  Took  the  communion  for  the 
first  time.  Oh  that  God  would  give  me  a  double  portion 
of  His  grace  to  keep  my  vows — to  keep  me  from  sin. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  14. — Pouring.  No  class.  Evening, 
went  with  M'F.  and  G.  to  Marion  Street — spoke  for 
nearly  half  an  hour  on  "  I  love  them  that  love  me,  and 
those  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me."  I  often  find 
great  difficulty  on  the  Sabbath  in  keeping  out  wandering 
thoughts.  Satan  is  trying  hard  to  draw  me  back  to  him- 
self; but  I  will  pray  to  God,  and  He  will  give  me  grace 
to  resist  him. 

Monday,  Dec.  15. — Examination  with  Professor  F.  on 
chemistry — written — got  through  first  rate. 

.Friday,  Dec.  19. — Examined  by  Professor  C.  at  u. 
Got  through  finely.  Went  to  hear  Elihu  Burritt. 

Saturday,  Dec.  20. — Professor  J.'s  examination.  Got 
through. 

Monday,  Dec*  22. — Rose  at  2.  Studied  my  geometry 
till  7.  Examination — did  not  pass  very  well.  Evening, 
monthly  meeting  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. — very  interesting. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  28. — Led  in  prayer  for  the  first  time. 
S.  school — class  all  present.  Tried  to  impress  upon 
them  the  necessity  of  coming  now  to  Christ ;  and  gave 
them  the  verse,  "Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled,"  to 
remember. 

Wednesday,    Dec.   31. — Evening,    Nellie   had  a   little 


92  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1857. 

company — spent  a  very  delightful  evening.  The  last 
night  of  1856;  but  time  never  stops — always  runs  on,  and 
so  our  lives. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  4,  1857. — Spoke  earnestly  to  my  boys 
about  love  to  Christ.  Went  with  M'F.  to  Marion  Street 
— spoke  for  twenty-five  minutes  on  the  importance  of 
grasping  and  improving  youth  ere  it  be  lost  in  the 
fathomless  depths  of  eternity.  Retired  at  n,  after 
earnest  prayer  to  God  for  my  Sabbath  class,  my  night 
school, ,  as  well  as  all  my  family. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  6. — Evening,  our  soiree  came  off,  and 
we  had  a  delightful  time — the  room  was  crowded.  M'F. 
read  a  fine  report;  G.  a  very  good  essay;  S.  P.  H.  made 
an  excellent  speech  ;  and  then  came  mine  on  "  Scottish 
Martyrs," — was  received  with  thunders  of  applause,  and 
interrupted  with  it  throughout  my  piece. 

Wednesday,  Jan.  7. — In  bed  until  12.  Severe  pains 
all  over  my  body. 

Saturday,  Jan.  24. — Rose  at  6.  Studied  my  speech 
— rehearsed  "  Bernardo  del  Carpio," — read  "  Childe 
Harold."  Went  to  the  Germania — very  fine.  Walked 
home  with  M.  and  C.  Had  a  long  conversation  on  the 
necessity  of  salvation,  early — how  we  should  set  ourselves 
against  those  things  which  would  disgrace  the  calling  of 
a  Christian — against  those  things  that  the  enemies  of 
Christ  might  seize  upon  to  sneer  at  the  religion  of  Jesus. 
What  pleasure  can  there  be  in  this  world  if  we  have 
nothing  to  look  to  beyond — if  all  eternity  lies  dark  and 
drear  before  us  1  Far  better,  inestimably  better,  to  have 
an  eternity  in  view,  a  heaven  as  our  goal,  a  Saviour  as 
our  eternal  companion.  Oh  how  I  would  rejoice  to  see 


Mtot.  1 6.]  DIARY.  93 

M.  a  Christian  !  I  will  not  cease  to  pray  to  God  on  her 
behalf.  He  will  give  answer,  and  cast  off  none  who  come 
to  Him.  God  is  the  very  embodiment  of  love.  Though 
we  are  great  sinners,  Christ  is  a  great  Saviour. 

Mrs.  F.'s  son  John  is  dying  from  dropsy,  arising  from 
scarlet  fever.  May  his  soul  go  to  Jesus,  free  from  care, 
free  from  trouble,  there  to  rest  peacefully  for  ever. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  25. — Spoke  earnestly  to  my  class  about 
Christ.  Told  them  about  John  F.,  how  happy  he  is 
waiting  patiently  for  Jesus.  After  church,  Mr.  H.  and  I 
went  to  see  him,  and  found  he  was  still  patiently  waiting 
for  his  Redeemer.  Oh  that  I  were  as  happy  as  he! 
"Watch  and  pray:"  the  Son  of  man  cometh  in  an  hour 
when  ye  know  not,  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  Be  ready. 
The  tomb  has  no  terrors,  for  Jesus  has  made  it  soft  as 
eider  down. 

As  I  stood  at  the  death-bed  of  that  child  this  evening, 
how  envious  was  I  of  him !  I  said,  "  John,  would  you 
like  to  get  well?"  "Oh  no,"  he  replied,  "not  for  a 
thousand  worlds ;  let  me  go  to  Jesus !  "  Here  indeed  is 
a  case,  one  of  many,  in  which  Christ  shows  Himself  as 
the  support  of  the  dying  saint.  Oh  that  M.  could  have 
been  with  me  then!  I  know,  I  feel  assured,  it  would 
have  done  her  great  good.  It  would  have  shown  her 
that  death  is  a  blessing  to  the  believer.  He  has  not  a 
cloud  to  obscure  his  setting  sun :  as  it  darkens  to  us  on 
earth,  it  becomes  brighter  and  brighter  in  that  celestial 
city,  until  at  last  it  bursts  in  its  glorious,  redeemed,  and 
spotless  effulgence  before  God  and  the  Lamb.  Soon  he 
will  fold  his  pinions  at  the  gate  of  the  heavenly  mansion, 
and  angels  will  ring  the  vault  of  heaven  with  loud  halle- 
lujahs, for  the  ransomed  soul,  redeemed  from  sin  tc 


94  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1857. 

sparkle  in  the  diadem  of  Jesus.  Happy!  happy!  happy 
John !  for  you  "  to  live  was  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain." 

Wednesday,  Jan.  28. — College.  Wrote  out  lecture  on 
Sulphur.  After  dinner  went  with  Mr.  H.  to  see  John  F. 
and  Mrs.  M'B.  The  former  is  still  living — he  has  had  a 

severe  hemorrhage I  am  troubled  with  a  nervous  sick 

headache,  and  dull  pain  all  through  my  limbs.  I  must 

do  something Practised  two  hours.  Read  the 

"Hunter  Naturalist."  Had  a  pleasant  chat  with  Mr.  H. 
before  retiring.  Studied  till  i. 

God,  I  think,  is  beginning  to  answer  my  humble  and, 
I  hope,  heartfelt  prayers.  I  see  more  of  Christ's  grace 
in  my  heart,  less  inclination  to  do  evil,  and  a  greater 
desire  to  do  good  during  my  short  stay  in  this  world  of 
care. 

Friday,  Jan.  30. — Rose  at  6.  College  as  usual. 
Lecture  on  Phosphorus  and  Selenium.  George  not  any 
better.  Dr.  R.  is  going  to  try  the  galvanic  battery.  I 
must  begin  to  study  more;  indeed  I  must  not  be  lagging 
behind.  Studied  till  2. 

Sabbath^.  Feb.  i. — After  dinner  went  down  to  see  John 
F.  He  asked  me  to  kneel  down,  while  he  uttered  a 
most  fervent  prayer.  Much  weaker — may  God  sustain 
him  to  the  end,  and  as  he  approaches  heaven  strengthen 
his  hopes  and  give  him  a  triumphant  entrance  to  glory. 
Afternoon,  had  a  new  class  given  me — persuaded  all  my 
boys  to  pray  morning  and  evening.  Read  in  "  Heaven, 
or  the  Sainted  Dead,"  by  Harbaugh. 

Monday,  Feb.  2. — Very  unwell.  Did  not  go  to  college. 
Painted  all  morning  at  Mr.  L.'s — finished  my  "  Brandy 
Wine."  Afternoon,  went  to  see  John  F.  He  is  much 
weaker.  Studied.  Retired  at  2. 


sEtat.  1 6.]  DIARY.  95 

Tuesday,  Feb.  3. — I  am  out  of  sorts  to-day.  I  think 
my  health  is  giving  way — I  am  getting  so  weak  in  the 
chest.  It  would  be  a  great  trial  to  me  to  be  prevented 
from  becoming  a  minister;  but  God  knows  what  is  best: 
He  doeth  all  things  well,  and  we  must  bow  in  submission 
to  His  will.  Very  sick  this  evening.  What  is  the 
matter  with  me  1  Retired  at  1 2. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  4.  —  Wrote  out  chemical  lectures. 
Studied  .till  i — getting  over  the  blues.  George  is  still 
the  same.  I  trust  God  will  restore  him  soon  to  health 
and  strength. 

Thursday,  Feb.  5. — Evening,  went  to  Dr.  M.'s  to  a 
meeting  of  the  young  men,  members  of  the  church,  in 
college,  to  establish  an  organization  in  the  University, 
called  the  Christian  Brethren. 

Friday,  Feb.  6. — Went  to  church  meeting  to  form  Con- 
stitution for  Christian  Association. 

Saturday,  Feb.  7. — Experimented  with  nitric  acid. 
Wrote  the  proposed  Constitution.  Practised.  Spoke  to 
M.  earnestly  about  her  salvation. 

To-morrow  will  be  the  Sabbath.  May  God  grant  it 
be  to  us  a  Sabbath  indeed.  May  His  grace  be  poured 
out  on  our  wounded  souls  like  healing  ointment. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  8. — S.  school  as  usual.  Damp  and  rainy. 
W.  J.  only  present — taught  him  from  John  x.  May  God 
accompany  it  with  His  blessing,  without  which  all  teach- 
ing is  in  vain.  John  F.  is  better.  Oh  that  God  would 
make  me  walk  closer  with  Him,  and  keep  my  mind  more 
fixed  on  Jesus.  Read  in  "Hedley  Vicars."  It  is  a  sweet 
book — I  never  tire  of  it.  The  more  I  read  of  his  life, 
the  more  I  am  impressed  with  the  divine  love  of  Jesus. 
Just  see  how  a  young  man,  depraved,  profane,  ungodly, 

7 


96  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1857. 

when  brought  under  the  saving  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  immediately  becomes  an  instrument  of  good.  I 
firmly  believe  that  God  raised  him  up  as  a  monument,  a 
guide  to  others  to  find  that  blessed  Saviour.  I  have  been 
reading  to-day  in  Pike's  "  Persuasions  to  Early  Piety." 
They  are  indeed  beautiful,  and  should  be  in  the  hands  of 
every  young  person. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  15.— Before  S.  school  read  Pike's  "  Per- 
suasions to  Early  Piety."  It  is  indeed  a  gem,  a  rare  gem. 
Took  a  walk  with  S. — had  a  long  talk  about  our  future 
lives.  I  do  not  think  I  am  called  to  be  a  minister.  I 
wonder  if  M.  loves  Jesus.  Oh  that  she  did ! 

Tuesday,  Feb.  17. — This  evening  Messrs.  H.  and  S. 
started  for  Pittsburgh.  I  trust  S.  will  do  well.  May  God 
bless  him  and  go  with  him,  be  his  counsellor  and  his  guide, 
his  help  in  this  world,  and  his  only  hope  in  the  world  to 
come.  May  he  never  swerve  from  duty,  and  God  will 
prosper  him. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  18. — Went  to  see  John  F.  He  has 
had  a  relapse,  and  the  doctor  says  he  can  hardly  recover. 
What  an  instance  of  grace !  Jesus  has  been  with  him 
while  his  body  has  been  racked  with  pain.  Retired  at 
2,  after  study.  I  wish  I  could  train  myself  to  study — 
somehow  I  cannot  do  it,  I  get  so  nervous. 

Sabbath,  March  i. — Another  month  begun!  Am  I 
nearer  heaven  1  Studied  my  morning  lesson  in  Daniel. 
Went  to  S.  school.  W.  H.  has  gone  to  the  country.  He 
was  a  good,  obedient  boy.  May  the  grace  of  God  be  with 
him.  I  have  prayed  more  earnestly  to-day  than  usual 
for  my  S.  S.  class.  May  I  see  the  fruit  of  my  labour,  not 
for  myself,  but  for  His  glory. 

Thursday,  March  5. — Worked  at  my  chemicals.    Spent 


.  1 6.]  DIARY.  97 

all  afternoon  in  laboratory.  Studied.  Retired  at  3.  I 
do  not  feel  satisfied  with  myself,  somehow.  I  am  en- 
tirely bewildered  in  making  a  choice  for  life.  I  cannot 
feel  at  all  that  I  have  a  call  to  the  ministry.  I  fear  I 
will  not  be  of  any  use  there.  May  God  give  me  grace  in 
my  choice.  May  I  live  entirely  for  his  service :  yet  all 
I  can  do  is  nothing  compared  to  what  He  did  for  me. 
God  give  me  grace  to  be  humble. 

Sabbath,  March  8. — To-day  my  mind  has  been  filled 
with  wandering  thoughts,  and  I  have  struggled  in  vain 
almost  to  keep  them  out.  I  will  pray  for  more  grace 
and  strength  from  God.  Would  that  I  were  like  Hedley 
Vicars ! 

Monday,  March  9. — Went  to  the  first  meeting  of  our 
Christian  Association;  was  elected  President.  Had  a 
very  warm  debate.  Came  home,  and  studied  till  3.  My 
eyes  are  very  sore  indeed. 

Sabbath,  March  15. — I  feel  a  voice  (or  whatever  it 
may  be  called)  within  me  saying,  "  Stop  and  consider 
what  is  your  duty,  to  be  a  minister  or  not?"  O  God,  give 
me  grace  to  decide.  May  I  have  nothing  to  influence 
me  but  a  desire  to  promote  Thy  kingdom,  and  do  what 
I  can  for  Jesus,  who  has  done  so  much  for  me. 

Thursday,  March  19. — College  as  usual.  Came  home 
and  made  sulphur  medals  and  casts.  Went  to  Debating 
Society.  Chemistry  coming  along  splendidly.  Prayed 
earnestly  for  a  change  of  heart.  Oh,  the  redeeming  love 
of  Jesus !  Who,  who  can  form  the  smallest  estimate  of  it ! 
— boundless,  tender,  ceaseless,  never-changing,  good  for 
time  and  good  for  eternity.  May  I  have  a  goodly  por- 
tion of  it,  and  tell  others  how  it  may  be  obtained.  What 
a  precious  thing  prayer  is  !  It  is  indeed  "  the  soul's  sin- 


98  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1857. 

cere  desire,  unuttered  or  expressed."  God  is  very  good, 
and  we  very  ungrateful.  Could  I  but  love  Him  as  He 
loves  me,  I  would  be  so  happy !  Make  me  Thine,  O 
Jesus. 

Saturday r,  March  21. — I  do  not  know  what  is  the 
matter  with  me  of  late :  everything  I  do  seems  to  tire  me. 
I  feel  unfit  for  everything.  I  am  unable  to  fathom  it. 

Sabbath,  March  22. — Went  to  the  young  men's  prayer- 
meeting — presided,  and  led  in  prayer.  Raging  headache. 
To-day  I  have  been  unable  to  keep  my  thoughts  from 
wandering.  O  God,  assist  me;  without  Thee  I  can  do 
nothing.  Make  me  one  of  Thine  own  anointed  ones, 
loving  and  serving  Thee  with  all  my  heart;  and  may  I 
strive  to  bring  others  to  Thee  likewise — to  do  what  little 
I  can  to  promote  the  interests  of  Zion,  and  spread  the 
glory  of  the  Cross.  How  many  are  there  in  our  very 
midst  who  do  not  care  for  Jesus,  but  are  going  down  to 
death  without  one  ray  of  hope  ! 

Monday \  March  23. — Swelled  neck  and  raging  headache. 
Professor  F.'s  examination — written — got  through  splen- 
didly— A  i. 

Friday,  April  3. — There  is  something  the  matter  with 
me  lately.  A  voice  tells  me  I  am  not  doing  my  duty. 
Am  I  any  nearer  Christ  than  I  was  yesterday,  or  even 
a  week  or  a  month  ago?  I  dare  not  answer  the  ques- 
tion. True  it  is  that  my  soul  is  nearer  eternity — my 
life  is  every  day  becoming  shorter.  Am  I  nearer  God  ? 
Oh,  may  I  this  night  resolve  that,  in  the  strength  of  pro- 
mised grace,  I  will  not  let  another  day  go  by  without 
doing  something  for  Jesus.  He  did  very  much  for  me ; 
He  has  given  me  many  opportunities,  and  will  require 
much  at  my  hands.  It  seems  strange  how  so  many 


jEtat.  16.]  DIARY.  99 

people  go  to  church,  believe  in  the  Bible,  heaven  and 
hell,  and  yet  are  perfectly  indifferent  as  to  the  salvation 
of  their  souls.  What  do  we  live  for?  To  eat,  drink,  and 
gratify  our  lusts?  The  beasts  do  that.  Why  did  God 
give  us  reasoning  powers — make  us  in  the  image  of  Him- 
self— give  us  an  immortal  soul?  Why,  but  to  prepare  us 
to  dwell  with  Him  throughout  eternity.  Oh,  could  I  be 
the  means  of  bringing  one  soul  to  God — of  rescuing  one 
immortal  soul — more  precious  than  all  the  world — from 
eternal  ruin,  I  would  be  satisfied. 

How  happy  does  the  Christian  feel  when  he  has  been 
labouring  for  his  Master !  He  is  happy,  not  only  in  his 
Saviour's  smiles  and  approbation,  which  he  feels  in  his 
heart's  inmost  core,  but  happy  in  the  thought  that  God 
will  reward  him  in  eternity.  There  is  no  real  happiness 
but  to  the  Christian.  The  monarch  on  his  throne  may 
seem  happy ;  but  could  we  look  into  his  heart,  the  canker- 
worm  is  there.  The  beautiful  maiden,  just  blooming 
into  womanhood,  admired  and  courted,  a  lover  of  plea- 
sure, may  indeed  seem  happy;  but  go  with  her  to  her 
chamber,  and  when  a  thought  of  eternity  comes  o'er  her, 
and  come  it  will,  no  matter  how  much  she  may  strive  to 
drown  it — see  her  shed  tears  of  remorse.  Whence  is 
this?  Where  are  her  gay  companions?  No  friend  to 
console  and  comfort !  She  has  not  Christ.  Let  Him  be 
my  friend.  When  all  others  forsake,  He  is  near  to  com- 
fort. 

How  would  I  love  to  see  M.  come  to  Jesus  ! 

Tuesday,  April  7. — To-day  I  have  been  reading 
Young's  "  Night  Thoughts."  They  are  grand  indeed.  It 
makes  one's  very  soul  thrill  to  read  them,  so  full  of  mean- 
ing, such  great  truths  contained  in  them.  Unquestion- 


loo  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1857. 

ably  they  are  one  of  the  finest  productions  in  the  English 
language. 

Sabbath,  April  12. — Low  spirited.  Raining.  Taught 
with  considerable  vigour.  Read  "  Hedley  Vicars."  This 
book  is  indeed  a  treasure.  Oh  that  I  were  he !  but  God 
doeth  what  is  best  for  both  of  us.  He  takes  care  of  His 
own  children. 

Sabbath,  April  19. — Preparation  Sabbath.  Spent  the 
time  before  dinner  in  private  prayer  for  my  class  and  M., 
that  they  may  be  early  brought  to  Christ.  Still  low 
spirited.  Because  I  am  so  is  no  reason  that  Christ  is  not 
with  me.  He  hides  me  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand,  and 
will  not  show  me  His  great  love.  He  knows  it  would  be 
too  great  for  me  to  bear.  He  stands  knocking  at  the 
door  of  our  hearts.  He  is  patient,  yet  He  will  not  stand 
for  ever.  Our  death-knell  will  soon  be  rung,  and  then 
woe  if  we  have  not  let  Him  in !  John  F.  is  still  alive. 

Thursday,  April  23. — Read  my  Essay  on  Electricity 
before  the  Debating  Society.  It  was  moved  that  I  be 
requested  to  repeat  it. 

Sabbath,  April  26. — Rose  at  6.  Communion  Sabbath. 
Went  to  prayer-meeting  at  9 — deeply  interesting.  Sat 
down  at  the  first  table.  Never  have  I  felt  the  Spirit's 
presence,  and  my  own  weakness,  so  much  as  to-day. 
There  I  uttered  most  fervent  petitions  for  one  dear  unto 
me,  who  as  yet  has  not  found  Jesus.  I  resolved,  in  the 
strength  of  promised  grace,  to  walk  closer  with  God — to 
labour  more  earnestly  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord — to  do 
what  little  I  can  to  promote  His  glory.  Went  to  prayer- 
meeting  in  the  evening,  and  led  in  prayer. 

Saturday,  May  2. — Very  unwell  to-day — cannot  tell 
exactly  what  is  the  matter.  I  feel  that  I  am  not  living 


SEtat.  1 6.]  DIARY.  101 

as  I  ought — am  not  advancing  toward  heaven,  or  doing 
anything  to  promote  Christ's  cause.  I  must  be  more 
active.  I  have  not  enough  association  of  the  right  kind. 
God  help  me!  I  am  weak,  God  is  mighty;  I  am  a 
helpless  sinner,  He  the  high  and  holy  God.  I  wish,  I 
pray  that  M.  may  become  a  Christian — how  delightful  it 
would  be  !  I  think  she  is  becoming  rather  more  serious. 
Would  to  God  it  were  so.  All  we  can  do  is  to  pray,  and 
trust  the  rest  to  God.  How  kind,  how  good  He  is  to  us 
sinners,  who  deserve  nothing  but  punishment  at  His 
hands ! 

Sabbath,  May  3. — Between  services  to-day  I  engaged 
for  half  an  hour  in  prayer  for  my  class:  also  for  my 
dearest  M.,  that  God  would  open  her  heart.  Evening, 
took  her  to  church.  After  service  spent  a  delightful  hour 
— we  had  a  long  chat  upon  the  necessity  of  early  coming 
to  Jesus.  I  think  she  is  more  attentive  to  the  things  of 
her  soul.  God  will  say  to  me  at  the  judgment,  "  Where  is 
the  flock,  the  beautiful  flock  I  gave  unto  thee?"  May  I 
be  able  to  say,  "  Here  they  be,  Lord ;  all  redeemed  by 
thy  Son."  How  happy  the  thought  that  we  who  love  on 
earth,  shall  love  still  more  in  heaven!  We  shall  not 
always  be  separated. 

Sabbath,  June  28. — Rose  at  6.  Church  in  the  morning. 
After  dinner  retired  to  my  room  and  wrote  to  M.  about 
her  eternal  salvation;  engaged  in  prayer  for  her,  my  S.  S. 
class,  and  myself.  After  tea  had  sacred  music.  How 
lovely  it  is  on  a  Sabbath  evening  for  a  family  to  engage 
in  pouring  forth  their  hearts  in  praise  to  their  Creator! 
It  makes  me  think  of  the  eternity  we  hope  to  spend 
around  the  throne  of  God.  How  delightful  it  is  to  be  a 
Christian !  Oh  that  I  could  do  more  for  God  !— that  I 


102  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1857. 

could  bring  M.  to  His  footstool !  I  will  not  cease  to 
pray  for  her  till  I  get  an  answer  to  my  prayers.  God 
has  promised  to  hear  me  if  I  persevere. 

Tfiursday,  July  2. — Rose  at  5.  Went  in  to  hear  the 
result  of  the  examinations.  I  am  passed  to  a  Junior. 
Worked  all  day  in  the  carpenter  shop  making  shelves  for 
rny  laboratory. 

Monday,  July  6. — Beautiful  moonlight!  so  calm,  so 
bright,  so  still.  How  grand  are  all  thy  works,  Parent  of 
good,  and  yet  how  ungrateful  are  we,  guilty  sinners ! 

Thursday,  Aug.  6 — ATLANTIC  CITY.* — Rose  at  5. 
Rolled  ten  pins  till  bathing  time.  Afternoon  took  a  ride 
to  the  dry  inlet,  round  the  light-house.  Had  charades — 
took  several  principal  characters,  with  which  all  were 
much  pleased. 

Monday,  Aug.  10. — Rose  at  6.  Worked  at  chemistry 
all  day.  Read  Regnault.  My  seventeenth  birth-day  ! 
I  think  there  is  no  better  time  to  make  good  resolutions 
than  on  one's  birth-day;  and  by  the  grace  of  God  I  Avill 
endeavour  to  keep  those  that  I  have  here  set  down : — 
ist,  That  I  will  endeavour  strictly  to  adhere  to  the  truth — 
never  make  a  statement  unless  I  know  it  to  be  the  truth, 
never  take  anything  for  granted.  2nd.  That  I  will  never 
speak  ill  of  any  person — that  I  will  live  at  peace  with  all 
— that  I  will  break  off  as  many  as  possible  of  my  foolish 
habits,  and  remember  I  have  an  example  to  set  as  a 
member  of  Christ's  Church.  3rd.  That  I  will  love  my 
brothers  and  sisters  more,  and  make  it  more  my  duty  to 
make  them  happy — will  do  my  share  to  keep  alive  the 
spirit  of  love  and  unity  in  our  family  circle.  Finally, 
That  I  will  endeavour  to  lead  a  more  consistent  Christian 

*  One  of  the  watering-places  much  resorted  to  by  Philadelphians. 


sKtat.  17.]  DIARY.  103 

life  than  I  have  done  heretofore,  remembering  that  God's 
eye  is  ever  upon  me,  and  I  must  not  disgrace  His  name. 
All  this  I  will  endeavour  to  do,  not  in  mine  own  strength, 
but  entirely  in  the  strength  of  promised  grace. 

And  now,  my  Heavenly  Father,  be  pleased  to  look 
down  upon  me  and  bless  me.  Grant  me  Thy  grace  and 
assistance  to  carry  out  what  I  have  resolved.  May  I  from 
this  day  live  not  for  myself,  but  for  Thy  glory.  Bless 
my  dearest  M. ;  guard  her  and  guide  her;  early  bring  her 
into  the  fold  of  Jesus.  May  she  be  an  humble  follower 
of  Thee ;  and  when  thou  hast  done  with  us  on  earth  take 
us  to  be  with  Thee,  throughout  the  ceaseless  ages  of 
eternity.  Amen. 

Saturday,  Atig.  16. — Another  week  has  passed — how 
rapidly!  A  week  more  of  my  life  gone — a  week  nearer 
heaven  or  hell.  I  have  a  week  less  to  prepare  for  eternity, 
a  week's  more  sins  to  answer  for  at  the  judgment-seat  of 
God.  Have  I  improved  it?  I  fear,  in  a  measure,  I  have 
not;  certainly  not  as  much  as  I  ought  to  have  done.  I 
must  try,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  do  better.  He  has 
done  for  me  very  much  more  than  I  deserve.  I  trust  M. 
is  beginning  to  feel  that  the  all-important  thing  is  the 
salvation  of  the  immortal  soul. 

Saturday,  Aug.  22. — I  must  pull  up  and  study  now  for 
examinations.  I  am  not  satisfied  with  myself.  I  must 
and  can  do  better.  God  is  not  pleased  with  me :  I  am 
not  living  as  I  ought.  O  God,  give  me  grace  to  love 
and  serve  Thee  better;  and  make  my  dearest  M.  a  child 
of  Thine.  I  come,  just  as  I  am,  and  cast  all  on  Thee. 
O  God  help  me. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  23. — Lovely  morning.  Read  in  the 
Word  until  church  time.  Afternoon,  took  a  nap,  and  by 


104  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1857. 

procrastinating  became  too  late  for  S.  school — a  thing  that 
never  happened  to  me  before,  and  by  God's  assistance  it 
will  never  happen  again.  Oh  that  my  heart  were  more 
given  to  Jesus — that  I  could  feel  more  my  need  of  Him 
— that  I  may  lose  my  sinful  pride,  and  come  to  Jesus, 
poor  and  needy,  place  all  my  trust  in  Him,  for  he  has 
cared  for  me  and  has  promised  to  receive  sinners,  even 
me,  who  am  as  the  greatest. 

M.  gives  me  much  concern.  I  fear  she  has  as  yet  not 
given  herself  up  entirely  to  the  service  of  God,  that  she  is 
yet  yearning  after  the  world  and  its  sinful  pleasures.  I 
will  not  give  up  praying  for  her  and  speaking  to  her  on 
the  subject:  I  feel  assured  that  God  will  ultimately  bless 
my  endeavours — that  He  will  reclaim  her,  His  lost  sheep, 
and  bring  her  to  His  arms.  Her  companions  generally 
are  not  such  as  would  bring  comfort  in  a  dying  hour,  and 
pour  words  of  consolation  in  to  her  soul  when  all  is  dark 
around.  What  would  I  not  give  to  see  her  a  child  of 
God,  an  heir  of  glory  !  This  universe  would  be  a  ransom 
far  too  small; — but  no  ransom  is  required;  our  Redeemer 
says,  "  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you ;  seek,  and  ye  shall 
find."  May  she  find  that  Jesus  who  died  to  redeem  her; 
and  may  she  rejoice  in  Him.  If  I  see  her  to-morrow, 
and  an  opportunity  offer,  I  will  again  speak  to  her  on 
the  subject. 

Thursday,  Aug.  27. — I  must  really  work  hard,  and  do 
myself  some  credit  at  college  next  year.  I  have  been 
too  lazy  and  careless.  How  many  resolutions  I  make 
and  break !  I  must  reform. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  13.— Read  "  Night  of  Toil."  Afternoon, 
went  to  school — very  full  and  attentive  class.  I  pray 
that  God  will  bless  my  labours — of  themselves,  they  are 


.  17.]  DIARY.  105 

very  fruitless.  I  will  make  a  practice  of  retiring  to  my 
room  immediately  on  my  return  from  the  afternoon 
service,  and  invoking  God's  blessing  on  my  S.  school 
labours  during  the  day.  I  ought  and  must  seek  God's 
blessing  and  assistance,  if  I  ever  expect  to  succeed  in  this 
important  work. 

Friday,  Sept.  25. — Came  in  at  8.  Great  excitement 
in  monetary  affairs.  Pennsylvania  and  Girard  Banks 
suspended. 

Thursday,  Oct.  20. — Bought  "Attic  Philosopher,"  and 
Michaud's  "  History  of  the  Crusades."  Went  to  John 
F's.  funeral — was  one  of  the  pall-bearers. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  23. — Communion  Sabbath.  Went  to 
prayer-meeting— very  solemn.  Dr.  W.  preached  on  the 
atonement  of  Christ.  Went  to  first  table.  It  was  indeed 
a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
God's  Spirit  was  in  our  midst,  and  the  Lord  did  wonders 
for  us.  There  did  I  plead  with  God  for  myself,  and 
earnestly  for  my  dear  M.  I  know  He  will  hear  me. 

Friday,  Jan.  i,  1858. — Did  not  go  to  early  prayer- 
meeting,  on  account  of  a  severe  neuralgia.  Made  arrange- 
ments for  my  Anniversary.  Got  a  new  room  corner  i3th 
and  Mariner.  Had  seventy  children  present — fed  them 
on  mince  pies  and  raisins.  Afternoon,  went  to  Parent 
school.  Feel  very  unwell  to-night.  Studied  until  i — 
am  to  be  examined  to-morrow.  I  must  set  out  from  to- 
day to  serve  God  better  than  I  have  done — must  pray 
that  He  will  give  me  strength. 

Saturday,  Jan.  2.— Went  to  college  and  was  examined, 
which  lasted  for  two  hours.  Preceptors  said  I  had  done 
remarkably  well.  Played  chess. 


io6  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1858. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  3. — Rose  at  6.  Went  to  my  school — 
brought  them  up  to  the  Anniversary — had  about  seventy- 
five  children.  Altogether  there  were  about  850.  Mine 
were  the  best  behaved.  They  were  presented  with  the 
"Life  of  John  Fleming." 

Sabbath,  Jan.  24. — School  not  as  large  as  I  had  hoped 
for  in  the  morning.  Took  M.  to  hear  Rev.  Dudley 
Tyng — text,  "Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his 
way]"  I  feel  very  sick  to-night ;  at  times,  low  spirited ;  and 
again,  when  I  think  God  does  it  all — that  He  is  my  God 
and  will  take  care  of  me — I  am  happy.  Oh  that  M. 
were  a  child  of  God  !  then  would  I  rejoice. 

Friday,  Jan.  29. — Had  another  discussion  with  M.  to- 
day about  the  opera.  I  think  she  is  beginning  to  change 
her  views.  I  hope,  I  pray  it  may  be  so. 

Sabbath,  May  9. — Attendance  at  morning  school  very 
small — much  discouraged — teachers'  prayer-meeting  after 
school.  We  are  too  self-confident — we  must  trust  more 
in  God.  Afternoon,  school  as  usual;  attendance  seventy. 

Monday,  May  10. — Commenced  study  of  the  Steam 
Engine.  Evening,  meeting  of  Christian  Association — 
appointed  to  prepare  an  address  to  our  young  friends 
M'F.  and  G,  who  are  about  to  leave  us  for  a  season. 
We  intend  to  present  each  with  a  Bible. 

Tuesday,  May  n. — Went  to  Guardians  of  Poor  Office 
to  see  about  getting  a  poor  coloured  woman  buried. 
Bought  a  malachite  and  agate.  Labelled  minerals. 
How  weak,  and  selfish,  and  proud  we  are !  More  and 
more  I  feel  my  own  weakness ;  and  more  and  more  I 
hope  I  trust  in  God.  What  a 'blessed  thing  is  faith!  pure, 
confiding  faith,  ever  "looking  to  Jesus."  He  will  help 
us  in  weal  or  woe.  He  will  never  leave  or  forsake  us. 


17.]  DIARY.  107 

Blessed  promise !  glorious  hope !  May  M.  have  great 
faith. 

Monday,  May  17. — College  as  usual.  Labelled 
minerals.  Lesson  in  Miiller  with  L. — Spirals  with  H. 
Evening,  large  meeting  at  the  church  to  bid  farewell  to 
Rev.  Mr.  W.  and  Messrs.  M'F.  and  G. — read  the  address 
to  the  two  latter,  and  presented  each  with  a  copy  of  the 
Word  of  God. 

Friday,  May  21. — Bought  Dana's  Mineralogy,  and  a 
very  fine  specimen  of  sulph.  of  lead — one  of  the  finest 
in  the  country. 

Sabbath,  May  23. — Evening,  took  charge  of  the  Boys' 
Meeting  in  the  carpenter  shop — large  attendance — very 
unwell. 

Wednesday,  May  26. — Rose  at  5.  Practised.  Read. 
College  as  usual.  Attended  noon  prayer-meeting — very 
interesting.  God's  Spirit  was  of  a  truth  present  with  us. 
Long  talk  with  mother.  Lessons  L.  and  H. 

Thursday,  May  27. — College.  Attended  prayer-meet- 
ing after  third  hour.  Lessons  with  K.  and  H.  Went  to 
see  aunt  J.,  who  is  very  low.  Practised.  Evening, 
went  to  prayer-meeting  at  E.'s,  and  what  a  delightful 
time  we  had  !  God  was  truly  in  our  midst.  Walked 
home  with  P.  W.,  who  seemed  much  changed,  and  was 
deeply  impressed  with  the  meeting.  I  will  continue  to 
pray  to  God  for  him,  that  he  may  be  led  openly  to  pro- 
fess his  faith  in  Christ. 

Friday,  May  28. — This  afternoon  M.  was  received  into 
the  Church.  I  pray  God  she  may  be  a  bright  and  shin- 
ing light — a  consistent  Christian.  Afternoon,  went  to 
the  Diligent  prayer-meeting.  The  room  was  crowded.  I 
opened  the  meeting  with  prayer.  The  exercises  were 


io8  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1858. 

deeply  impressive,  and  I  came  away  with  my  soul  re- 
freshed. Evening,  went  to  see  M.  Now  that  she  has 
united  herself  to  the  Church,  I  feel  a  still  greater  attach- 
ment for  her.  How  strong  the  bond  of  Christian  love  ! 

Saturday,  May  29. — Attended  noon  prayer-meeting. 
Walked  up  with  F.  E. — he  is  a  lovely  Christian  character. 
I  must  from  this  evening  give  closer  attention  to  my 
studies.  I  will  pray  God  to  give  me  strength  and  a  will 
to  do  it. 

Sabbath,  May  30. — School  as  usual — had  teachers' 
prayer-meeting.  After  dinner  went  to  see  Annie  S. 
— talked  and  prayed  with  her.  She  is  a  happy  Christian. 
Went  to  see  Mrs.  J.  who  is  sick — she  was  glad  to  see  me. 
Called  also  on  Mrs.  La  M.,  whose  husband  is  a  slave — 
took  her  subscription-book  to  try  to  raise  some  money  to 
buy  him  off.  Evening,  went  down  to  school — very  good 
attendance — spoke  half  an  hour.  Came  home  very  sick. 
Retired  at  10.30. 

Monday,  May  31. — Went  to  prayer-meeting  at  Diligent 
Engine  House — very  large  attendance — presided — very 
solemn.  Several  young  men  stood  up  and  asked  to  be 
prayed  for.  How  wonderful  is  the  working  of  God's  pro- 
vidence !  Evening,  read  Essay  on  the  "  True  Hero  "  at 
Rev.  S.  H.'s  church,  before  their  S.  S.  Association. 

Tuesday,  June  r. — Family  moved  to  the  country. 
Nanna  and  I  will  keep  house  alone  for  a  week  or  two. 
WTent  to  the  "  Diligent "  at  5 — very  large  meeting,  and 
very  impressive.  How  precious  the  privilege  of  spending 
an  hour  in  communion  with  God  !  How  we  should  im- 
prove these  privileges  !  God  will  require  much  of  us. 
Evening,  talked  with  Nanna. 

Wednesday,  June  2. — Uncle  D.   and  I  went  to   Mr. 


/Etat.  17.]  DIARY.  109 

M'A.'s  to  see  his  microscope — spent  a  delightful  evening. 
I  could  spend  hours  over  the  microscope.  The  more  we 
look  into  these  objects,  invisible  to  the  naked  eye,  the 
more  we  admire  the  wisdom,  the  goodness,  and  the  power 
of  that  God  who  made  them  all.  He  controls  the  most 
distant  system,  and  the  tiniest  insect  that  floats  in  the 
sunbeam. 

Thursday,  June  3. — College.  Attended  prayer-meet- 
ing. Went  out  to  Springbrook — retired  early,  very  un- 
well— sorry  I  could  not  remain  in  the  city  to  attend 
prayer-meeting  at  E.'s. 

Friday,  June  4. — Rose  at  4.30 — slept  very  little. 
Visited  Annie  S.'s.  family.  She  died  yesterday,  full  of 
hope.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord." 

Sabbath,  June  6. — S.  school  as  usual — very  fair  attend- 
ance. Went  with  P.  W.  to  Rev.  Mr.  B.'s.  church.  It  is 
their  communion  Sabbath,  and  my  dear  M.  is  to  be  bap- 
tized and  admitted  into  the  Church.  Mr.  B.  preached  a 
beautiful  sermon  on  the  subject  of  our  Saviour's  cruci- 
fixion, and  then,  descending  from  the  pulpit,  advanced 
to  her  and  said,  "  M.  E.,  I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost."  Oh,  how  happy  I 
felt ;  for  there  I  saw  what  for  years  I  had  earnestly  prayed 
and  wished  for.  Truly,  God  hears  prayer.  When  I  saw 
placed  in  her  hands  the  emblems  of  our  Saviour's  dying 
love,  my  heart  burned  within  me — I  wished  to  partake  with 
her.  Though  not  with  her  in  the  body  I  was  in  the  spirit. 

Saturday,  June  12. — Went  in  to  college.  Packed 
minerals,  and  had  lesson  with  Dr.  L.  Read  Lardner  on 
Steam  Engine.  Much  amused  at  a  young  snob  wanting 
another  to  fight  a  duel.  Read  Pickwick,  and  Humphrey's 
Glimpses  of  Ocean  Life. 


no  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.        [1858. 

Sabbath,  June  13. — Rode  into  town  with  papa.  Went 
to  see  Mrs  J.,  one  of  my  scholars,  who  is  very  ill.  Very 
happy  to-day. 

Wednesday,  June  16. — Spent  a  very  delightful  evening 
with  M.  How  beneficial  to  a  man  is  the  society  of  woman, 
especially  of  that  one  whom  he  loves  !  How  much  that 
is  sinful  is  he  kept  from  doing  by  the  thought  that  she 
would  not  like  it ! 

Sabbath,  Aug.  i. — Read  "Pearls  of  Thought,"  and 
Newton's  "  Cardiphonia."  Afternoon,  had  sacred  music. 
I  love  it ;  it  seems  to  lift  the  soul  from  earth  to  heaven, 
and  give  it  a  sweet  foretaste  of  what  in  a  great  measure 
will  occupy  it  in  heaven.  Evening,  went  to  prayer-meet- 
ing— took  part. 

Monday,  Aug.  2. — Read  in  Lamartine's  Girondists. 
Practised.  Read  Goethe's  Faust;  also  in  Todd's  Student's 
Manual.  I  consider  the  latter  an  invaluable  work :  every 
time  I  read  it  I  get  from  it  some  new  thought,  and  some 
new  light  is  thrown  upon  my  course  of  study. 

Wednesday,  Aug.  4. — Packed  in  a  few  minutes'  notice 
— came  to  town  at  8,  and  at  3.30  started  for  Pottsville. 
The  road  from  Port  Clinton  was  new  to  me — the  scenery 
grand  and  much  varied.  Now  we  were  in  a  valley,  with 
the  mountains  rising  three  and  four  hundred  feet  on 
either  side  ;  again  we  were  upon  the  summit  of  the  ridge, 
with  the  country  stretching  away  for  miles  at  our  feet. 
Arrived  at  Pottsville  at  7.45. 

Thursday,  Aug.  5. — At  5,  took  carriages  and  drove 
twelve  miles  over  the  Broad  and  Blue  Mountains  to  Ash- 
land. After  breakfast,  drove  to  the  Locust  Run  coal 
mine.  For  the  first  time  I  here  entered  a  mine,  and  was 
much  interested  with  the  various  operations  through 


/Etat.  17.]  DIARY,  in 

which  the  coal  passes.  We  then  visited  the  colliery  of 
Mr.  H.,  where  I  obtained  some  fine  specimens  of  coal  and 
slate  fossils,  which  are  now  rather  rare.  After  dinner, 
visited  the  colliery  of  Mr.  R.,  where  I  procured  some  good 
specimens  of  variegated  coal.  Went  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  into  the  breast. 

Friday,  Aug.  6. — Started  for  Tuscarora  after  breakfast 
— from  thence  took  stage  for  Tamaqua — there  again  took 
stage  and  ascended  the  Sharp  Mountain,  6  miles  to  Sum- 
mit. Here  entered  the  cars,  and  rushed  down  the  side 
of  the  mountain,  9  miles,  to  Mauch  Chunk.  We  here 
took  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  and  reached  Easton  at 
2,  where  we  took  Central  Railroad  for  New  York. 

Saturday,  Aug.  7. — At  5  P.M.  we  left  the  Harlem  Depot 
for  Lake  Mahopec — arrived  at  8.30,  very  dirty  and  tired. 
Dressed.  Saw  aunt  A.  and  cousins. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  8. — Took  awalk  before  breakfast.  Went 
to  church  at  10.  Walked  home  along  the  lake.  This  is 
a  poor  place  to  spend  the  Sabbath.  No  one  seems  to 
know  or  care  that  it  is  God's  holy  day — laughing,  read- 
ing novels,  and  flirting,  seem  to  be  their  occupations. 

Monday,  Aug.  9. — Uncle  D.,  the  boys,  and  myself 
rowed  six  miles  and  took  a  bath  before  breakfast.  Started 
at  8  for  Peekskill,  16  miles  distant — took  the  Hudson 
River  R.  R.  for  Garrison's,  and  thence  the  ferry  to  West 
Point.  The  view  from  the  Parade  ground  is  remarkably 
fine.  Visited  Kosciusko's  monument.  As  I  looked  at 
it,  Campbell's  lines  came  home  to  me, — 

''  Hope,  for  a  season,  bade  the  world  farewell, 
And  Freedom  shrieked  as  Kosciusko  fell." 

Truly  the  great  and  good  will  never  be  forgotten.  Left 
at  2.30  for  New  York. 


112  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1858. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  10. — Left  New  York  at  4.20  P.M.  for 
Boston.  Read  "Knickerbocker"  in  the  cars.  My 
eighteenth  birth-day !  God  grant  me  grace  to  dedicate 
myself  anew  to  Thee,  and  live  a  more  consistent 
life. 

Wednesday,  Aug.  n. — Went  on  board  the  Europa — 
was  disappointed  in  her  accommodations — bade  my 
friends  good-bye  at  12,  and  then  the  vessel  headed  for 
"Old  England."  At  4.20,  left  Boston,  via  Fall  River, 
for  New  York. 

Thursday,  Aug.  12. — Arrived  in  New  York  at  8,  and 
at  4  left  for  home,  sweet  home.  Read  the  Life  of  John 
Stevenson  in  the  cars.  Reached  home  at  7.40 — found 
all  well,  and  of  course  glad  to  see  me. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  17. — Did  not  go  to  town.  Spent  two 
hours  in  cleaning  my  minerals.  The  Queen's  message 
was  received  to-day,  thus  proving  the  complete  success  of 
the  Atlantic  Telegraph.  Planned  an  Essay  to  be  entitled 
"  Young  Men — their  Influence." 

Friday,  Aug.  20. — Rose  at  6.  Did  business  for  father. 
Read  "  Tom  Brown's  School  Days."  Came  out  at  4 — 
found  all  the  family  had  gone  to  J.'s.  Read.  Took  tea 
all  alone,  after  which  sat  on  the  porch  and  thought  of 
M.  I  pray  that  God  will  give  her  grace  to  resist  all  the 
temptations  with  which  she  may  be  surrounded  during 
her  absence.* 

August  24. — Rose  at  6.  Went  to  the  house  to  see 
mother  and  grandmother  :  the  former  very  well ;  the  latter 
— oh,  it  pains  me  to  say  it — not  as  well  as  I  would  wish 
to  see  her.  It  makes  my  heart  bleed  at  the  very  idea  of 

'  M.  \vas  to  sail  for  Europe  in  a  few  days,  and  expected  to  remain  abroad  for 
two  years. 


Mat.  1 8.]  DIARY.  113 

parting  with  her;  and  that,  I  was  going  to  say,  for  ever; 
but,  no  !  blessed  be  God, — 

"  The  good  shall  meet  above." 

Went  to  the  store,  and  to  Jayne's  Hall  prayer-meeting 
—very  interesting.  Dined  at  home.  Had  a  long  talk 
with  grandmother.  Went  up  to  Lansdowne  at  4.  Retired 
at  ii — very  unwell  indeed. 

Friday,  Aug.  27. — Rose  at  6.  Came  in  with  P.  at  8. 
Heard  the  news  that  I  have  a  little  sister.  God  grant 
that  her  life  may  long  be  spared,  and  that  she  may  be  a 
bright  and  happy  Christian. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  29. — Lovely  morning.  Mr.  Scott  preached 
on  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  Sat  in  the  lawn  until 
dinner  time.  After  dinner,  retired  to  my  own  room  to 
read  and  meditate.  Read  in  "  Kennedy's  Divine  Life." 
Deeply  interested.  Am  I  a  Christian  1  True,  I  am  a 
member  of  the  visible  Church;  but  that  will  not  save  me. 
"Have  I  experienced  that  change  of  heart  which  marks 
the  true  believer,  and  which  alone  can  secure  salvation  1 
I  trust  I  have.  I  love  Jesus,  and  look  to  Him  only  for 
salvation.  "Lord,  I  believe;  help  thou  mine  unbelief." 
Open  mine  eyes,  and  show  me  Thy  law.  I  find  Jesus 
more  precious  to  me  now  than  ever  before.  Daily  I  feel 
my  own  insufficiency,  and  endeavour  to  rest  with  more 
assurance  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages. 

If  God  spare  my  life,  in  one  short  year  I  will  have 
entered  the  school  of  the  world,  whose  lessons,  (alas,  how 
hard  to  many !)  are  taught  by  the  stern  rule  of  experience. 
Soon  I  must  be  exposed  to  all  the  taunts  and  temptations 
of  a  jeering,  godless  world,  under  whose  bitter  scoff  too 
many  have  fallen.  How  consoling  is  the  thought, — 


114  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1858. 

"  From  every  stormy  wind  that  blows, 
From  every  swelling  tide  of  woes, 
There  is  a  calm,  a  sure  retreat  ;— 
"Tis  found  beneath  the  mercy-seat." 

To-day  is  M.'s  last  Sabbath  at  home.  May  it  be  to  her  a 
precious  day  of  grace.  How  joyful  to  think  that  our 
prayers,  though  uttered  at  points  far  distant  from  each 
other,  will  come  nearer  and  nearer  as  they  approach  the 
mercy-seat,  until  blending  together  they  reach  the  ear  of 
the  Lord  of  sabaoth,  who  will  grant  us  our  petitions  as  it 
seemeth  best  unto  Himself.  Spent  some  time  in  the  woods 
in  prayer,  previous  to  going  to  church. 

Thursday,  Sept.  2. — Made  tow  wig  and  whiskers. 
Evening,  went  to  B.'s — had  tableaux  and  charades.  I 
impersonated  eight  characters,  much  to  the  pleasure  of 
my  audience,  but  not  to  my  own.  My  heart  and  thoughts 
were  not  in  it.  Retired  at  12,  very  unwell. 

Friday,  Sept.  3. — Went  to  town  at  8  o'clock.  Very 
unwell.  Came  out  at  4.  I  have  yet  much  of  my~pro- 
crastination  to  break  off.  God  grant  me  grace  and 
strength  to  resist  it  and  other  sins  to  which  I  am  subject. 

Saturday,  Sept.  4. — Saw  Mrs.  W.  T.  W.  on  the  boat. 
Had  a  long  talk  with  her.  She  is  a  lovely  Christian. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  5. — Rose  at  6.  Went  down  to  my  school. 
All  were  very  glad  to  see  me.  How  happy  am  I  in  that 
God  has  spared  me  to  return  with  new  zeal  to  my  labours. 
Mr.  M'E.  preached  for  us  a  very  able  and  instructive 
sermon  from  the  text,  "  Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffered 
these  things'?"  He  was  what  I  would  term  a  clear 
preacher,  leaving  no  doubt  in  my  mind  in  regard  to  the 
subject  on  which  he  preached.  After  dinner,  went  to  my 
school  as  usual.  I  taught  the  boys'  Bible  class.  All 
seemed  very  attentive  and  desirous  to  learn.  Mr.  M'E. 


DIARY.  115 

preached  in  the  afternoon  from  the  text,  "  Ye  must  be 
born  again,"  if  possible  a  more  able  sermon  than  in  the 
morning.  He  has  got  hold  of  the  matter,  and  speaks 
like  one  who  has  experienced  in  his  own  soul  all  that  he 
says.  At  7,  W.  M.  called  for  me,  and  we  went  to  see 
Mrs.  J.,  one  of  my  scholars,  who  is  dying  of  a  very  rapid 
consumption.  She  was  not  only  in  great  bodily  pain, 
but  in  great  mental  agony.  She  said,  "  Oh,  I  cannot,  I 
cannot  find  Jesus."  I  told  her  how  and  where  she  could 
find  him.  She  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  I  have  not  been  worse 
than  anybody  else — why  cannot  I  find  Jesus  ? "  I  then 
told  her  she  must  come  resting  alone  on  Jesus  for  salva- 
tion. I  prayed  with  her  for  a  long  time,  and  was  fre- 
quently interrupted  by  her  cries  for  mercy.  After  prayer, 
we  sang  the  hymn,  "  Just  as  I  am."  Never  before  did  I 
feel  the  necessity  of  seeking  Jesus  ere  laid  upon  a  dying 
bed.  Lord  grant  that  I  may  have  laid  up  now  my  trea- 
sure in  heaven,  and  that  I  may  rest  my  all  on  Jesus. 
How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus !  May  I  be  His  child. 
Oh,  that  I  were  like  Him !  Went  to  my  school  at  8  o'clock, 
and  had  a  very  good  prayer-meeting.  I  spoke  to  them 
from  the  subject  of  Paul's  interview  with  Felix.  They 
listened  with  marked  attention,  and  seemed  much  im- 
pressed. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  8. — Went  to  town  at  8.  Learned  the 
sad  news  that  Mr.  A.  R.  is  no  more.  He  died  suddenly 
of  apoplexy  at  their  country  seat  near  Auburn.  He  was 
preparing  for  a  trip  to  the  south,  when  suddenly  he  was 
cut  down.  Truly,  "  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death." 
What  a  warning  to  us  all  to  be  ready,  with  our  lamps 
trimmed  and  burning,  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the 
Master !  He  was  a  truly  Christian  man.  None  knew 


n6  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1858. 

him  but  to  love  him.  College  began.  Got  books.  Made 
arrangements  with  Mr.  G.  to  enter  his  laboratory. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  12. — Went  to  my  school.  Attendance 
small  in  the  morning.  Afternoon,  much  larger.  After 
tea,  went  for  G.  M'F.  to  go  with  me  to  see  Mrs.  J.  We 
found  her  very  happy.  When  I  entered  the  room  her 
eye  kindled,  and  she  said,  "  Oh,  Mr.  Stuart,  I  have  found 
Jesus — yes,  I  have  found  Him;  He  is  my  only  Saviour!" 
We  both  prayed,  and  sang  several  hymns  with  her.  How 
we  should  thank  God  for  what  He  has  done  for  her;  and 
what  an  encouragement  should  this  be  to  us  in  our  work 
and  labour  of  love!  Truly,  God  is  the  hearer  and 
answerer  of  prayer.  We  have  but  to  ask,  and  it  shall  be 
given.  God's  delays  are  not  denials.  In  His  own  good 
time  we  shall  have  what  we  have  asked,  or  what  we  ought 
to  have  asked. 

Monday,  Sept.  13. — Sat  with  mother  and  nursed  Pattie 
until  8.30.  Went  to  college — from  there  to  the  labora- 
tory. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  15. — Heard  that  Mrs.  J.,  my  S.  S. 
scholar,  died  in  peace. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  19. — Lovely  morning.  Walked  in  the 
woods.  Went  to  church.  After  dinner,  retired  to  my 
room — read  and  prayed.  Went  to  Mr.  S.'s  Sabbath 
school — taught  a  class  of  coloured  children.  They 
seemed  much  interested  in  what  I  said.  Came  home 
very  tired. 

Tuesday,  Sept.  21. — Went  to  laboratory.  Analyzed 
Lythia  Mica — very  difficult.  Got  flower  of  the  aloe  pre- 
served in  spirits.  Came  out  at  4.  Worked  at  chemistry 
and  blow-pipe  until  9.30.  Studied.  Saw  the  comet  very 
distinctly  this  evening  with  telescope.  Moonlight. 


sEtat.  1 8.]  DIARY.  117 

Sabbath,  Oct.  3. — Rose  at  6.30.  Drove  to  town  with 
father.  Attendance  at  school  small.  Dr.  L.  preached 
from  Joshua  xx.  1-5,  a  most  impressive  and  heart-search- 
ing sermon.  May  it  be  of  service  to  many  souls.  God 
bless  it  to  my  own.  Afternoon  school  attendance  very 
good.  Taught  my  Bible  class.  To-day  my  friend  P. 
joined  the  Church.  I  pray  that  he  did  it  with  a  sincere 
and  honest  heart,  trusting  only  to  the  merits  of  Jesus  for 
salvation.  Drove  out  at  6.  How  many  darling  sins  have 
I  yet  to  mourn  over.  I  would  do  right,  but  "evil  is 
present  with  me."  My  old  habits  cling  to  me — hard, 
hard  is  it  to  shake  them  off.  O  God,  grant  me  Thy 
Spirit's  assistance,  that  I  may  have  this  hard  and  stony 
heart  of  mine  cleansed  from  every  sin;  and  may  I  take 
delight  only  in  the  ordinances  of  Thy  grace.  Of  myself 
I  can  do  nothing ;  but  do  Thou  make  me  clean.  May  I 
daily  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  Thy  holy 
word.  May  I  have  strength  to  resist  all  the  temptations 
with  which  my  path  is  beset — to  restrain  my  evil  passions 
and  temper — to  speak  evil  of  no  one.  but  rather  love  my 
enemies ;  and  may  I  never  in  any  way  disgrace  the  name 
of  Jesus,  but  ever  walk  an  humble,  devoted,  earnest 
Christian,  having  my  heart  and  hand  in  my  Master's 
work.  Hear  and  answer  me  for  Jesus'  sake. 

Saturday,  Oct.  9. — Bought  mineral  cases  and  arranged 
minerals.  Evening,  saw  the  comet.  It  reaches  its  peri- 
helion to-night.  One  of  the  grandest  sights  I  ever 
beheld.  God's  works  proclaim  Him  divine.  Studied. 
Retired  at  11.30. 

Wednesday >,  Oct.  13. — Rose  at  6.  Raining  very  hard. 
College  as  usual.  Wrote  out  Greek.  Came  out  at  2.30 
FJJ.  Father  had  a  dinner  party,  at  which  were  present 


n8  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1858. 

Dr.  M'C.,  Prof.  G.,  Mr.  J.  C.  and  son  from  Edinburgh, 
Dr.  W.,  and  several  otfher  clergymen.  I  showed  my 
minerals  to  Mr.  C.,  who  is  much  interested  in  such 
things.  Retired  at  12.30. 

Thursday,  Oct.  14. — Came  to  town  at  8.  Did  not  go 
to  college.  Went  with  Mr.  C.  to  the  Academy  of  Natural 
vSciences,  with  which  he  was  much  pleased.  From  there 
we  took  a  cab  and  drove  over  to  the  Insane  Asylum. 
Dr.  S.  showed  us  all  through  the  buildings,  and  paid  us 
great  attention.  We  then  went  to  see  Rev.  A.  B.,  who 
gave  us  a  very  warm  reception,  and  we  spent  a  very  agree- 
able half  hour  in  his  company.  I  was  very  much  pleased 
indeed  with  Mr.  C.  He  is  a  perfect  gentleman — a  man 
of  great  learning,  and  withal  one  of  most  unaffected 
manners — all  rendering  him  one  of  the  most  agreeable  and 
attractive  men  I  have  ever  met.  On  returning  from  our 
ride  bade  him  farewell,  as  he  leaves  this  evening  for 
New  York.  Gave  him  some  minerals. 

Friday,  Oct.  15. — College.  Bought  minerals.  Worked 
at  laboratory.  Came  out  at  4.  Rolled  ten  pins  with 
E.  B.  Nursed  sister  Pattie.  She  is  a  sweet  darling 
baby.  Evening,  labelled  minerals  and  wrote  letters. 

Monday,  Oct.  18. — College.  Wrote  out  chemical  notes. 
Read  in  Plattner  on  Blow-Pipe.  Feel  very  unwell  this 
evening.  I  must  control  myself  more  in  my  words  and 
actions. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  19. — Rose  at  7.  Very  heavy  fog.  College 
as  usual.  Went  with  W.  to  the  reception  service  in  honour 
of  Prof.  G.  and  Rev.  Mr.  M'C.  The  room  was  very 
elegantly  decorated ;  entertainment  good,  and  addresses 
most  capital,  especially  that  of  Dr.  L.  I  enjoyed  myself 
very  much. 


DIARY.  1 19 

Friday  Oct.  22. — Did  not  go  to  town.  Very  unwell. 
Worked  all  day  in  my  laboratory,  which  was  not  bene- 
ficial. 

Saturday,  Oct.  23. — Rose  at  6.  Went  to  town  and 
college.  Very  sick.  Cold  very  bad  indeed,  which  with 
weak  eyes,  renders  me  quite  miserable.  Came  out  at  2.30. 
Worked  all  afternoon  in  laboratory.  Studied  until  u. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  31. — Drove  to  town.  Weather  cool  and 
clear.  Attendance  at  school  small,  both  morning  and 
afternoon,  but  very  attentive.  We  must  not  be  dis- 
couraged, but  rather  go  on  with  more  zeal  and  with  more 
prayer.  We  do  not  pray  enough.  We  are  not  earnest 
as  we  should  be  in  this  work. 

Friday,  Nov.  5. — To-day  is  mother's  38th  birth-day. 
God  grant  that  she  may  live  to  see  many  more,  and  long 
be  preserved  to  us,  for  what  is  home  without  a  mother  1 
Evening,  went  to  hear  B.  T.'s  lecture  on  Moscow.  Not 
much  pleased.  Retired  at  12. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  7. — Weather  clear  and  cool.  Went 
down  to  my  school.  Had  teachers'  prayer-meeting — 
very  solemn  and  interesting.  Evening,  went  to  my 
school — addressed  them  from  parable  of  Dives  and 
Lazarus.  Meeting  one  of  very  deep  interest.  I  pray 
that  much  good  may  result.  How  solemn  the  thought ! 
— immortal  souls  committed  to  our  care  ! 

Thursday,  Nov.  18. — Wrote  at  my  Essay,  "The  Dignity 
of  Labour,"  until  church  time.  Thanksgiving  day.  How 
much  have  we  to  thank  God  for  !  How  very  much  have 
we  received  of  which  we  were  not  in  the  least  worthy ! 
Mr.  Faires  preached  a  very  fine  sermon,  indeed  the  best 
I  ever  heard  from  him.  Text,  Ps.  Ix.  4.  Evening,  had 
prayer-meeting  at  church — deeply  interesting — addresses 


120  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1858. 

by  many  young  men.  I  spoke  from  text,  "Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by."  Felt  much  in  the  spirit. 

Friday,  Nov.  19. — Rose  at  6.  Did  not  go  to  college. 
All  day  in  the  laboratory.  After  tea  went  over  to  prayer- 
meeting  at  the  church.  Very  interesting  address  by  Mr. 
Mingins,  the  converted  infidel.  I  do  not  feel  that  I  am 
living  up  to  the  requirements  of  God's  law.  I  am  not 
as  much  of  a  Christian  as  I  ought  to  be — do  not  feel 
earnest  enough  when  I  pray;  or  if  I  am  earnest  in  private 
it  does  not  go  with  me  into  public  life.  I  have  prayed 
faithfully,  I  trust,  to  God,  but  from  this  night  resolve  that 
in  the  strength  of  promised  grace  I  will  do  more  than  I 
ever  have  done  to  know  and  spread  the  name  of  Jesus — 
I  will  live  a  closer  walk  with  God. — Pour  out  upon  me, 
heavenly  Father,  thy  Holy  Spirit :  come  and  dwell  in 
my  heart:  cleanse  me  from  all  sin,  and  may  I  be  in  truth 
a  follower  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus.  Have  mercy 
upon  me,  Q  God :  rescue  me  as  a  brand  from  the  burning : 
assist  me  in  following  after  Thee,  for  I  can  do  nothing 
of  myself;  and  may  I  from  this  moment  be  born  again. 
"  The  Lord  bless  me,  and  keep  me,  make  His  face  to 
shine  upon  me,  and  so  I  shall  be  safe."  Bless  my  dear 
M.:  preserve  her  in  all  her  wanderings:  may  she  daily 
grow  in  grace  and  in  heavenly  wisdom.  Lord,  hear  me, 
and  grant  an  answer  in  peace. — How  careful  should  we 
be,  lest  while  teaching  others  we  ourselves  should  be 
cast  away !  Let  us  make  sure  our  own  salvation,  and.  see 
that  we  are  not  indulging  a  false  hope,  but  may  Jesus 
ever  be  our  friend.  We  may  be  members  of  the  Church, 
and  associate  with  God's  people;  but  this  will  not  save  us. 

Saturday,  Nov.  20. — Rose  at  7.  Just  after  worship 
was  seized  with  severe  dizziness,  which  rendered  me  very 


.Wat.  18.]  DIARY.  121 

sick.  Wrote  up  lectures  on  mathematics.  Read  Pope's 
"  Essay  on  Criticism  " — much  pleased  with  it.  Read  in 
chemistry.  Labelled  salts.  Practised.  Wrote  at  my 
Essay.  Dined  at  4.  Made  blow-pipe  analysis  of  Phos. 
of  PI.  Dr.  M'G.  is  to  preach  for  us  to-morrow,  which 
will  be  our  preparation  Sabbath.  If  one  listens  to  the 
voice  of  procrastination,  how  little  he  accomplishes !  How 
much  more  might  I  have  done  to-day  than  I  did,  just 
from  this  very  thing  !  We  should  guard  against  this  ;  it 
is  dangerous — not  only  the  thief  of  time,  but  also  of 
eternity.  God  can  and  will  deliver,  us  if  we  ask  Him. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  2\. — Weather  cold.  Raining.  Dr.  M'G. 
preached  a  most  impressive  sermon,  well  calculated  to 
prepare  the  mind  for  holy  sacramental  communion.  After- 
noon, taught  female  Bible  class.  Went  to  visit  L.  S., 
one  of  my  scholars,  who  is  quite  sick.  Dr.  M'G.  preached 
from  Isa.  xxviii.  17,  if  possible  a  still  more  impressive 
sermon  than  the  morning  one,  urging  us  to  self-examina- 
tion, and  to  build  for  ourselves  no  hiding-place  but  Jesus 
Christ.  God  is  blessing  us  in  a  remarkable  manner. 
We  are  indeed  a  favoured  people ;  but  we  must  remember 
to  improve  all  these  precious  privileges,  for  "  to  whom 
much  is  given,  of  them  much  will  be  required."  Went 
home  and  prepared  my  address  for  the  evening.  Took 
for  my  subject  Christ  healing  the  ten  lepers,  as  mentioned 
in  Luke  xvii.,  especially  that  verse,  "  Were  there  not  ten 
cleansed]  but  where  are  the  nine?"  Had  a  small  but 
deeply  interesting  meeting.  God  was  with  us.  Came 
up  to  prayer-meeting  at  church.  I  must  try,  by  the  grace 
of  God,  to  have  many  seasons  of  sweet  communion 
during  the  present  week,  so  that  on  the  coming  Sabbath 
I  may  fully  enjoy  the  Saviour's  presence. 


122  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1858. 

Saturday,  Nov.  27. — Rose  at  7.  Very  sick.  Went 
down  to  store  for  letters.  Wrote  until  dinner  time.  Read 
in  Benvenuto  Cellini — a  most  interesting  book.  After- 
noon, went  to  church.  To-morrow  will  be  our  communion 
Sabbath.  God  grant  that  it  may  be  a  day  of  joy — that 
I  may  feel  more  than  ever  my  own  weakness — place 
more  faith  in  Jesus,  and  resolve  to  live  a  closer  walk 
with  God. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  28. — Rose  at  7.  Cold  and  snowing. 
Went  down  to  S.  school.  Dismissed  school  early 
— came  up  to  prayer-meeting  at  church — heard  letter 
from  Dr.  W.  read.  Dr.  M'L.  preached  from  Solomon's 
Song  i.  12,  a  sermon  well  calculated  for  a  communion 
Sabbath.  Went  to  first  table.  Have  enjoyed  to-day 
great  peace  of  mind.  I  feel  very  happy,  trusting  only  in 
God  for  grace  and  strength.  Came  home  immediately 
after  the  service,  and  retiring  to  my  room  spent  some 
time  in  prayer,  that  God  would  bless  to  me  this  solemn 
ordinance — hear  the  prayers  I  had  offered  at  his  table, 
and  give  me  grace  to  carry  out  the  resolutions  there 
formed.  Taught  school  in  afternoon.  Evening  Dr.  M'L. 
preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  Rev.  A.  B.  Retired  very 
unwell. 

Monday,  Nov.  29. — Rose  at  n,  feeling  very  unwell 
Had  lesson  with  Dr.  L.  at  5.  Evening,  went  to  church. 
On  account  of  my  recent  ill  health,  after  careful  con- 
sideration, I  have  determined  to  give  up  my  chemistry 
for  the  present.  It  is  a  hard  thing  for  me  to  do,  for  I 
take,  great  delight  in  it ;  but  duty  calls  me  to  make  the 
sacrifice,  and  I  will  do  it. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  5. — Rose  at  6.  Raining.  To-day  is  the 
Anniversary  of  my  Sabbath  school.  God  has  indeed 


sEtat.  1 8.]  DIARY.  123 

blessed  us,  and  if  any  good  has  been  done,  to  His  name 
be  all  the  glory.  I  trust  that  we  are  all  resolved,  if  spared 
to  see  next  year,  to  do  more  than  we  have  ever  done  in 
time  past.  May  we  ever  abound  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  Attendance  in  the  morning  quite  large.  Dr. 
M'G.  preached  from  Ps.  Ivi.  He  is  such  a  simple,  ear- 
nest, solid,  yet  withal  charming  preacher — laying  down 
his  Master's  law  so  plainly  as  not  to  be  mistaken  by  the 
most  ignorant.  Went  down  to  my  school  at  1.30,  to  pre- 
pare for  the  Anniversary.  Though  the  weather  was  very 
disagreeable  (just  such  a  day  as  when  we  commenced), 
the  attendance  was  very  large.  We  were  addressed  by 
Messrs.  H.,  R,  G.,  B.,  and  father.  I  added  a  few  closing 
remarks.  The  scholars  manifested  the  most  marked 
attention,  and  their  conduct  was  most  gratifying  to 
me  and  to  my  teachers.  The  singing  also  was  very 
good. 

Monday,  Dec.  6. — Rose  at  4.30.  Wrote  at  my  Essay 
until  7.  College  as  usual.  Recitation  with  Dr.  L.  at  5. 
Evening,  monthly  meeting  of  Christian  Association. 
Read  my  Essay  on  "The  Dignity  of  Labour."  Being  very 
unwell,  I  hardly  did  myself  justice.  Retired  at  12. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  8. — Rose  at  6.30.  Raining.  College. 
Wrote  out  astronomy.  After  dinner  studied  Greek,  and 
recitation  with  Dr.  L.  Took  a  short  walk.  A.  S.  came 
to  tea — was  very  glad  to  see  him.  He  has  become 
much  changed.  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  he 
is  a  true  child  of  God.  He  is  one  of  my  earliest  friends, 
and  I  have  great  regard  for  him.  Evening,  studied, 
wrote.  Retired  at  12. 

Thursday,  Dec.  9. — Rose  at  6.  Weather  clear  and  very 
cold.  College.  Studied  all  afternoon.  Evening,  went 


124  MEMOIR  OP  iriLIJA.M  D.  STUART.          [1858. 

to  prayer-meeting  held  at  J.  W.'s,  Clinton  Street.  J.  I). 
presided.  I  addressed  them  briefly  from  the  words,  "  Is 
it  well  with  thee?"  Spent  the  rest  of  the  evening  very 
pleasantly  at  Dr.  B.'s  Retired  at  12.45  Ver7  much 
worn  out. 

Friday,  Dec.  10. — Received  letter  from  L.  A.  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  pressing  me  to  visit  them  at  Christmas;  which 
1  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  19. — Rev.  Mr.  W.,  our  dear  pastor,  whom 
God  has  graciously  restored  to  us,  preached  a  most  im- 
pressive and  appropriate  sermon.  Evening,  went  down 
to  mission  school.  Spoke  from  John  iii.  16.  Felt  much 
of  the  Spirit's  power  with  me.  I  hope  and  pray  I  am 
daily  growing  in  grace.  I  feel  concerned  about  my 

S.  S.  teacher, ;  he  is  so  careless  and  indifferent  to 

spiritual  things.  He  is  a  good-hearted,  clever  fellow  ; 
but  that  will  not  save  him.  I  will  continue  earnestly  to 
pray  for  him,  and  I  feel  assured  that  God  will  hear  my 
petitions.  He  has  heard  them  before,  and  I  trust  will 
again.  "  Hide  not  thy  face  from  me,  O  God,  neither 
take  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me." 

Tuesday,  Dec.  21. — Bought  books.  At  3.30  bade  all 
good-bye,  and  started  for  the  west.  At  the  depot  fell  in 
with  Messrs.  S.  and  T.,  who  were  going  to  Cincinnati. 
I  joined  their  party,  and  we  found  in  each  other  very 
sociable  companions.  Left  in  a  pouring  rain.  Reached 
Harrisburg  at  9,  Altoona  at  i  A.M.  T.  and  myself  got 
on  the  back  platform  of  the  cars,  and  rode  over  the 
mountains.  The  scenery  was  grand  beyond  description 
— to  me  more  beautiful  than  by  daylight,  as  the  full 
moon  shone  brilliantly  through  the  leafless  branches. 
We  had  a  very  fine  view  of  Conemaugh  and  the  Pack 


SEtat.  18.]  DIARY.  125 

Saddle,  and  I  felt  repaid  for  standing  in  the  cold  for  two 
hours.  Retired  to  my  chair  for  a  nap. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  22. — Awoke  at  3.  Arrived  at  Pitts- 
burgh at  6.  Paid  fifty  cents  for  not  eating  a  miserable 
breakfast.  Left  at  6.45,  via  Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago 
R.  Road  for  Crestline.  Arrived  at  2.45.  Took  Cleve- 
land and  Columbus  Road  for  Columbus.  Arrived  at  5. 
Sat  down  to  a  miserable  excuse  for  a  tea.  Left  at  5.30, 
via  Little  Miami  Road,  for  Cincinnati.  Arrived  at  10.30. 
Took  passage  in  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Road  for  Seymour. 
Arrived  at  2  A.M.,  and  instead  of  starting  immediately  for 
Louisville,  we  had  to  wait  until  7  o'clock  for  the  St. 
Louis  train.  Got  nothing  to  eat.  Slept  in  the  cars. 

Thursday,  Dec.  23. — Awoke  at  4,  after  two  hours' 
miserable  sleep.  Left  for  Louisville  at  7.45.  After 
various  delays  arrived  at  11.30.  Went  to  Louisville 
hotel.  Dressed,  and  called  on  my  friends,  who  seemed 
very  glad  to  see  me.  Brought  my  trunk  to  Mr.  A.'s. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  called  to  see  me. 

Saturday,  Dec.  25. — Rose  at  7.  At  1 1  went  to  church. 
Home  at  12.  Sat  in  parlour  with  company  until  2. 
Went  in  to  Mr.  G.'s.  All  the  family  received  me  very 

cordially.  Met  Miss  L.  and  Miss  .  With  the 

former  I  was  much  pleased,  she  is  such  a  courtly,  refined, 
intellectual  lady,  possessing  none  of  those  affected  graces 
which  make  so  many  young  ladies  disagreeable.  Dined  at 
Mr.  G.'s.  Came  home  at  7.  Very  severe  neuralgia.  L. 
and  I  had  a  long  discussion  as  to  the  propriety  of  church 
members  going  to  the  opera  when  away  from  home. 

Monday,  Dec.  27. — Drove  with  the  young  ladies  to  the 
Cave  Hill  Cemetery.  The  location  is  very  beautiful,  and 
the  grounds  are  laid  out  tastefully.  Very  severe  neuralgia 


126  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1859. 

to-day.  Wrote  letters  home.  Went  to  tea  at  Mr.  P.'s. 
Spent  a  very  pleasant  evening  indeed.  Home  at  12. 

Thursday,  Dec.  30. — Walked  with  L.  and  G.  A.  to  the 
Artesian  well,  208  feet  deep,  situated  on  loth  Street, 
near  Main.  The  old  coloured  fellow  who  takes  care  of  it 
is  a  comical  genius,  always  talking  about  "  de  melodeus 
and  harmonius  water."  It  tastes  as  though  strongly 
impregnated  with  sulphurated  hydrogen.  I  could  not 
drink  it.  Bought  ticket  for  Philadelphia.  Called  on 
some  friends.  With  Mrs.  R.,  Mrs.  A.'s  sister,  I  was 
much  pleased.  After  tea  went  into  Mr.  G.'s,  and  bade 
them  good-bye.  Spent  my  last  evening  most  delightfully. 
At  10.30  the  coach  came  for  me,  and  I  bade  a  long  fare- 
well to  all  my  dear  friends,  who  had^  been  so  kind  to  me 
during  my  stay.  My  trip  is  ended.  I  would  fain  stay 
longer,  but  Duty  calls  me,  and  her  stern  voice  must  ever 
be  obeyed.  Louisville  and  its  people  stand  high  in  my 
regard.  After  being  in  the  ferry-boat  for  half  an  hour, 
reached  Jefferson ville,  and  started,  with  not  the  most 
pleasant  party,  for  Seymour. 

Friday,  Dec.  31. — Reached  Seymour  at  2.30.  At  4 
took  train  for  Cincinnati — reached  there  at  8.  Took 
train  on  Little  Miami  Road  at  9  for  Crestline.  Reached 
Xenia  at  2,  for  dinner ;  Columbus  at  3,  and  Crestline  at 
5.  Changed  cars  for  Pittsburgh.  Reached  Alliance  at 
9,  where  we  took  tea.  Again  we  started,  and  I  fell 
sound  asleep. 

Saturday,  Jan.  i,  1859. — Awoke  at  6.30,  and  found 
that  we  were  nearing  Pittsburgh.  Reached  there  at 
1.45,  and  started  at  2  for  Philadelphia.  Again  I  slept; 
and  when  I  awoke  we  had  reached  Altoona,  where  we 


sEtat.  18.]  DIARY.  127 

breakfasted.  The  ride  was  long  and  tedious.  Reached 
Philadelphia  at  4.  I  was  very  cold  and  tired.  Found 
N.  and  G.  sick  with  measles.  All  very  glad  to  see  me, 
even  dear  little  Pattie,  whom  I  found  to  have  grown  very 
much  in  my  absence,  and  to  have  got  a  tooth.  Another 
new  year  begun  !  God  grant  me  grace  to  walk  a  closer 
walk  with  him,  "redeeming  the  time."  May  I  be  spurred 
up  to  more  zeal  in  my  Master's  service.  May  this  year 
be  one  of  special  outpouring  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  upon 
all  lands  and  people  !  Being  worn  out,  took  a  warm 
bath,  and  retired  at  1 2. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  2. — Went  to  my  school  as  usual.  At- 
tendance very  good.  No  teacher  absent.  I  intend 
during  the  present  and  all  future  time  to  insist  more  on 
the  punctuality  of  my  teachers.  Afternoon,  brought  all 
the  children  up  to  the  Anniversary  in  the  church.  Their 
good  behaviour  was  remarked  upon  by  all. 

Friday,  Jan.  7. — Evening,  went  to  prayer-meeting  at 
"  Warren  Hose."  Led  the  meeting — very  large  and 
solemn — addressed  them. 

Saturday,  Jan.  S. — College.  Bought  Life  of  Zwingle, 
and  coal  for  mission  school.  Went  to  Germania  concert 
— very  fine. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  9. — School  as  usual.  My  dear  friend 
P.  W.  united  with  us  as  a  teacher.  Afternoon,  went 
with  him  to  church.  Rev.  Mr.  B.  preached,  from  Eph. 
v.  n,  12,  a  very  solemn  sermon,  warning  us  all  of  the 
snares  and  wiles  of  Satan.  I  was  struck  with  the  fact 
that  he  did  not  nail  his  sermon  home  with  this,  namely, 
that  we  only  can  be  freed  from  these  assaults  by  the 
assistance  of  Christ  Jesus,  our  only  Saviour.  He  seemed 
to  leave  the  subject  as  though  we. could  free  ourselves  in 

9 


128  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1859. 

our  own  strength.  In  short,  he  did  not  hold  up  in  his 
sermon,  as  I  thought  he  might,  that  which  is  the  great 
end  of  the  Christian  ministry,  "  Christ  Jesus,  and  Him 
crucified."  I  know  Mr.  B.  is  a  man  of  such  piety  that 
he  would  by  no  means  omit  this  intentionally.  I  may 
be  mistaken,  but  thought  had  he  done  so  his  sermon 
would  have  been  complete.  At  6.30  J.  M'A.  called  for 
me,  and  we  went  to  visit  L.  S.,  one  of  his  class,  who  is 
dying  of  consumption.  He  was  so  weak,  and  in  such 
pain,  as  to  be  unable  to  speak  to  me.  He  was  an 
attentive,  regular  child  at  Sabbath  school,  and  I  trust 
loves  Jesus,  and  desires  to  go  to  be  with  Him,  which  is 
far  better. 

Monday,  Jan.  10. — Cold  and  clear.  Thermometer  4° 
below  zero.  After  dinner  went  with  M'A.  to  see  L.  S. 
Found  him  very  low.  He  did  not  know  us.  Left  his 
mother  some  money  and  jelly.  Lesson  with  Dr.  L.  at 
5.  Studied  character  of  Calvin.  Evening,  went  to 
prayer-meeting  at  D.  B.'s — very  solemn  and  interesting. 
Had  a  long  discussion  with  J.  D.  and  F.  E.  in  regard  to 
"  predestination." 

Friday,  Jan.  14. — Felt  very  sick.  Did  not  go  to 
college.  Made  out  S.  S.  roll-book.  Read  in  D'Aubigne"s 
"  History  of  Reformation."  Planned  and  commenced  a 
lecture  on  Luther. 

Friday,  Jan.  21. — College.  Wrote  Christian  Associ- 
ation business.  Read  Gibbon's  "  Rome  "  in  regard  to 
the  taking  of  Constantinople  by  Mahomet  II.  His 
description  is  very  simple,  yet  grand  and  impressive, 
carrying  you  back  to  the  scene  of  action,  and  making 
you  as  one  of  the  spectators. 

Saturday,  Jan.   22. — College.     Went  to  noon  prayer- 


.-Rtat.  18.]       •  DIARY.  129 

meeting— deeply  interesting.  Came  away  feeling  that  it  was 
indeed  the  house  of  God,  and  that  it  was  good  to  be  there. 
Evening,  went  to  Zelosophic  Society  meeting.  Read  an 
essay,  and  took  part  in  debate.  Very  spirited  meeting. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  23. — Slight  flurry  of  snow  during  the 
night.  L.  S.,  my  sick  scholar,  is  rather  better.  Sermon 
by  pastor,  Heb.  i.  ;  an  able  and  eloquent  discourse, 
full  of  sound  reasoning,  deep  thought — yes,  full  of  Christ 
Jesus,  the  aim  and  end  of  all  preaching.  Afternoon, 
school ;  attendance  very  good.  Distributed  eight  prizes 
for  regular  attendance.  Went  with  P.  W.  to  hear  Rev. 
Mr.  B.  He  preached  from  Eph.  vi.  18,  19,  20.  Subject, 
prayer,  ist.  How  we  should  pray.  2nd.  What  we  should 
pray  for.  After  showing  us  clearly  our  duty  as  to  prayer, 
and  impressing  upon  us  its  importance,  he  closed  with  a 
most  earnest  appeal  to  the  unconverted  ones  present  to 
hasten  to  call  upon  God  ere  it  be  too  late  ;  to  bend  now 
the  knee  in  prayer,  if  they  had  never  done  so  before  ;  to 
flee  imploringly  to  that  God  who  holds  their  eternal 
destiny  in  His  hands.  Walked  home  with  C.,  and  stayed 
there  to  tea.  Took  her  to  hear  Rev.  Henry  Martyn 
Scudder.  His  text  was  Ps.  ex.  i.  His  sermon  consisted 
of  a  complete  analysis  of  the  whole  system  of  Hindu 
theology,  together  with  their  caste,  and  the  hardships  of 
the  missionary.  I  was  chained  by  his  discourse.  Al- 
though I  Have  heard  scores  of  missionaries  speak  about 
India,  never  before  did  I  hear  the  dogmas  of  their  religion 
so  clearly  set  forth  ;  never  did  I  hear  such  grappling  with 
error,  such  a  demonstration  of  the  subtlety  of  their  argu- 
ments and  sophisms ;  and  never  did  I  realize  the  hard- 
ships, opposition,  and  labour  to  which  the  faithful  mis- 
sionary is  subject. 


130  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART,         [1859. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  25. — College.  Went  to  prayer-meeting 
at  the  Diligent — very  solemn  and  impressive.  It  was 
indeed  "  the  house  of  God,  and  the  very  gate  of  heaven." 
Very  much  impressed  with  the  question  put  by  our 
Saviour  to  Peter,  "Lovest  thou  me?"  It  is  ringing  in 
my  ears — "  Lovest  thou  me  ?"  Would  that  I  could  with 
Peter  triumphantly  answer,  "Yea,  Lord,  thou  knowest 
that  I  love  thee."  Why  is  it  that  I  cannot  answer  this 
satisfactorily  to  my  own  soul?  "Lord,  save  me,  I  perish !" 
"  I  believe ;  help  thou  mine  unbelief." 

Thursday,  Jan.  27. — College,  &c.  Afternoon,  read. 
At  4.30  went  to  Diligent  prayer-meeting — led  the  meet- 
ing. The  hour  was  one  of  deep  solemnity,  and  the  Spirit 
•of  God  seemed  to  be  indeed  moving  amongst  us.  I 
trust  I  came  thence  a  better  man,  feeling  more  than  ever 
my  dependence  on  Jesus.  Evening,  took  C.  J.  to  hear 
Everett's  lecture  on  Franklin — not  so  fine  as  his  discourse 
on  Washington.  Retired  at  12. 

Friday,  Jan.  28. — Damp  and  raining.  College.  Bought 
"What  will  he  do  with  it?"  and  "N.  Am.  Review." 
Very  unwell.  Read  until  5.  Lesson  with  Dr.  L.  How 
much  I  learn  from  him  !  He  is  a  capital  teacher,  and 
the  cleverest  kind  of  a  fellow.  Evening,  called  on  Mrs. 
G.  A. — a  charming  lady,  and  one  of  the  few  whom  I  take 
great  pleasure  in  visiting. 

.  Saturday,  Jan.  29. — Went  to  noon  prayer-meeting — 
took  charge  of  it — very  deeply  interesting.  Went  to 
Diligent  prayer-meeting. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  30. — S.  school  as  usual.  Rev.  Mr.  B. 
preached  a  very  good  sermon  in  the  morning,  but  spoiled 
it  by  mannerism.  Afternoon,  wrote  out  a  few  thoughts 
from  which  to  speak  at  Diligent  to-night.  P.  W.  went 


18.]  DIARY.  13  r 

with  me  to  prayer-meeting.  I  presided,  and  addressed 
them  from  the  words,  "  God  is  love."  I  had  intended 
to  speak  but  a  few  moments,  but  the  subject  widened  so 
before  me,  that  ere  I  knew  it  a  half  hour  had  slipped 
away.  What  a  precious  meeting  we  had,  and  what  good 
news  it  will  be  to  tell  M.  to-morrow  when  I  write  !  If 
we  could  only  dwell  more  on  the  love  of  God,  the  very 
essence  of  the  Divine  Being! — Love,  pure,  holy,  matchless, 
infinite  love  !  We  know  not  God's  love,  because  we 
have  never  made  use  and  trial  of  it  as  we  should.  Our 
love  may  fade  and  die,  but  His  cannot.  Once  in  God's 
love,  we  are  ever  in  it.  Give  me  grace  and  strength  to 
know  and  experience  Thine  everlasting  love. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  8. — College.  Made  electrotype  casts. 
Studied.  Evening,  went  to  hear  Prof.  Mitchell's  lecture. 
Was  delighted.  He  has  a  very  fine  voice,  commands 
the  choicest  language,  and  makes  the  most  difficult 
things  plain.  He  gave  us  a  general  view  of  the  uni- 
verse. 

TJmrsday,  Feb.  10. — Went  to  Diligent  prayer-meeting. 
It  was  of  deep  interest.  Three  men  stood  up  and  de- 
sired the  prayers  of  the  meeting  on  their  behalf.  How 
I  felt  the  power  of  God's  Spirit  in  that  meeting  !  It  was 
indeed  good  to  be  there.  Evening,  took  Miss  A.  to 
hear  Prof.  Mitchell.  His  subject  was,  "  Is  the  Great 
Architect  of  the  heavens  the  God  of  the  Hebrew  Scrip- 
tures?" The  lecture  was  one  of  great  depth  and  power. 

Saturday,  Feb.  12. — College  as  usual.  Went  to  noon 
prayer-meeting — crowded,  and  deeply  interesting.  How 
refreshing  to  step  in  an  hour  from  the  noisy,  bustling 
highway  of  life,  and  drink  of  the  fountains  which  God 
has  opened  for  his  people  !  Afternoon,  took  C.  J.  to 


132  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.   STUART.         [1859. 

the  Germania.  Evening,  took  her  to  hear  Prof.  Mitchell. 
His  lecture  was  grand  beyond  conception.  Who  can 
look  up  into  the  heavens  and  deny  that  there  is  a  God  ! 
Well  can  we  say,  with  Young : 

"  An  undevout  astronomer  is  mad." 

Sabbath,  Feb.  13. — School  as  usual.  P.  W.  absent  by 
reason  of  a  severe  cold.  After  afternoon  church  went  to 
see  him — sat  with  him  an  hour.  After  tea  went  with 
M'F.  to  his  school.  Found  a  very  large  and  attentive 
audience — addressed  them.  Visited  the  step-father  of 
G.  S.,  one  of  my  pupils  ;  found  him  very  low  with  pleurisy, 
and  apparently  near  death.  His  mind  was  nearly  gone, 
so  that  we  were  hardly  able  to  talk  with  him.  After 
prayer  we  left  him,  promising  to  return. 

Monday,  Feb.  14. — College.  Came  home  at  T  2.  Worked 
at  electrotyping  until  5.  Lesson  with  Dr.  L.  Went  to 
see  P.  W. — found  him  much  better.  Evening,  first  Anni- 
versary of  our  Christian  Association.  We  met  in  the 
church.  I  took  the  chair  precisely  at  8  o'clock,  and 
commenced  by  reading  Rom.  xii.  The  Annual  Address 
was  then  read  by  the  secretary.  Addresses  delivered  by 
Rev.  Drs.  W.,  L.,  and  F. — all  stirring  and  eloquent. 
Studied.  Retired  at  1.30. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  16. — College.  Electrotyped.  After 
dinner  worked  with  batteries,  and  read  until  5.  Lesson 
with  Dr.  L.  on  Reformation  in  France.  Practised  until  8. 
Wrote  speech  for  college  on  "  Labour"  until  11.30. 

Friday,  Feb.  1 8.— -Rose  at  6.30.  Weather  raw  and 
rainy.  College  Not  being  able  to  get  to  the  public 
prayer-meeting,  I  spent  half  an  hour  in  singing,  reading, 
and  prayer,  and  found  that  sweet  communion  with  God 


.  18.]  DIARY.  133 

in  private  is  a  most  delightful  exercise.  It  stimulates 
and  sanctifies  the  soul,  lifting  it  above  earthly  to  heavenly 
things.  Lesson  with  Dr.  L.  Read  Autobiography  of 
Arago — very  much  interested  in  it.  Messrs.  B.  and  G. 
came  to  tea.  The  former  leaves  for  Europe  to-night. 
I  am  sorry  he  is  going  so  soon.  We  have  all  enjoyed 
his  society  very  much.  May  God  protect  him  while  he 
journeys,  and  bring  him  home  in  safety.  Wrote  out 
mathematical  problems.  Retired  at  12. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  20. — Rose  at  7.  School  as  usual.  P.  W. 
absent.  Went  to  see  him.  Found  him  very  sick,  in  bed, 
and  threatened  with  inflammation  of  the  lungs.  God 
grant  that  his  life  may  be  spared,  and  that  he  may  become 
a  bright  and  shining  light  in  the  Church.  Suffered  much 
all  day  from  indigestion.  Evening,  prayer-meeting  at 
7  o'clock. 

Monday,  Feb.  2 1. — College.  Went  to  see  new  Sabbath- 
school  room.  Lesson  with  L.  Evening,  college  prayer- 
meeting  at  our  house.  C.  M.  presided. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  22. — Went  to  college,  and  heard  an 
oration  on  Washington,  by  Hodge.  To  see  P.  W.  Found 
him  a  little  better,  but  far  from  well.  Went  to  noon 
prayer-meeting.  The  room  was  crowded,  and  oh,  such  a 
meeting !  the  day  of  Pentecost  could  hardly  have  sur- 
passed it,  it  made  me  feel  so  very  happy.  Afternoon, 
went  to  opening  of  National  Sabbath-School  Convention, 
and  entered  as  delegate  from  my  mission  school.  Gor. 
Pollock  was  appointed  President.  Messrs.  Chidlaw  and 
Trumbell  of  Hartford  came  to  tea.  Evening,  went  to 
Convention.  We  were  addressed  in  the  most  soul-stirring 
manner  by  Mr.  Pardee,  Alfred  Cookman,  Dr.  Tyng,  and 
Bro.  Chidlaw. 


134  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1859. 

Thursday,  Feb.  24. — Went  to  prayer-meeting  at  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  Rooms,  and  to  Convention.  Meeting  very 
interesting.  Noon  prayer-meeting  crowded.  A  brother, 
who  once  had  been  the  president  of  an  infidel  club,  ad- 
dressed us  most  feelingly.  Mr.  Lambert,  acting  Vice- 
President  of  the  Association,  Mrs.  L.,  and  several 
gentlemen,  came  to  dinner.  Afternoon,  Convention  met 
at  4.  About  twenty-five  new  resolutions  were  presented 
and  laid  on  the  table.  The  discussions  were  very  spicy. 
Went  with  Bro.  M'C,  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Rooms,  and  to 
the  Diligent  prayer-meeting.  Evening,  Convention  at  7.30. 
Many  addresses  were  delivered.  A  most  touching  one 
from  Gor.  Pollock,  in  reply  to  a  vote  of  thanks  tendered 
him.  Ralph  Wells  of  New  York  made  a  short  but 
stirring  address.  Studied  English  Literature.  Retired 
at  11.30. 

Sabbath,  March  6. — Rose  at  6.45.  Weather  clear  and 
warm.  Opened  my  new  Sabbath-school  room  at  1324 
Carpenter  Street — a  much  better  place  than  where  I  was 
before.  Went  to  see  L.  S. — found  him  almost  well. 
Evening,  went  to  prayer-meeting  at  mission  school — 
attendance  large — addressed  them  from  Titus  ii.  13 — 
spoke  about  forty-five  minutes.  Had  very  sore  throat 
when  I  stopped.  Came  home  at  8.30,  and  feeling  very 
tired  went  to  bed  almost  immediately. 

Tuesday,  March  22. — College.  Noon  prayer-meeting, 
and  came  thence  much  refreshed.  Went  to  J.'s — spent 
a  very  pleasant  evening  talking  with  and  reading  to  C. 

Sabbath,  March  27. — School  as  usual.  P.  W.  still 
absent  from  sickness.  Evening,  usual  prayer-meeting  at 
mission  school — very  large  and  deeply  solemn  meeting. 
I  addressed  them  from  the  words,  "Search  the  Scrip.- 


/Etat.  18.]  DIARY.  135 

tures,"  £c.  Many  were  moved,  even  to  tears.  I  felt 
that  it  was  not  I  who  spoke,  but  God  speaking  in  me. 
Made the  subject  of  very  special  prayer. 

Saturday,  April  9. — Another  week  has  rolled  round, 
and  here  I  am  alone  in  my  study,  thinking  whether  it 
has  been  to  me  mis-spent  time.  How  many  good  and 
laudable  plans  do  we  form,  to  be  carried  out  during  a 
week,  but  Procrastination,  that  most  insidious  servant  of 
the  Devil,  subtle  as  the  arch-fiend  himself,  comes  in, 
robs  us  of  time  and  willingness  to  work,  and  would  fain 
wrest  from  us  eternal  happiness  and  salvation.  For  two 
weeks  past  I  have  been  resolving  to  visit  my  S.  S. 
scholars — procrastination  has  tempted  me  to  put  it  off 
from  day  to  day,  and  here  I  am — another  Sabbath  has 
almost  come,  and  the  work  not  done.  Fain  would  I 
say,  "  Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan."  God  give  me  grace, 
if  spared  to  see  another  week,  to  labour  with  my  might. 
" Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  quickly"  I 
have  been  privileged  to  attend  very  regularly  the  noon 
prayer-meetings,  and  find  them  a  source  of  much  joy. 
They  are  a  sort  of  spiritual  fountain,  to  which  the  soul, 
weary  in  struggling  with  sin  and  the  world,  can  go,  and 
drinking  deeply  of  its  reviving  and  enriching  waters,  go 
forth  refreshed.  Oh,  that  I  had  more  of  the  spirit  of 
prayer  and  of  Christ — a  deeper  feeling  of  sin,  and  a  firmer 
dependence  on  Jesus  as  my  Saviour  !  "  Lord,  I  believe  ; 
help  thou  mine  unbelief."  Took  tea  this  evening  at  J.'s. 
After  tea  had  a  long  conversation  with  C.  She  seems  to 
have  a  proper  view  of  the  subject.  I  pray  that  she  may 
be  a  bright  and  consistent  Christian.  I  wish  my  own 
sisters  had  more  serious  thoughts. 

To-night.  I  suppose  M.  is  near  Mount  Sinai.     As  she 


136  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1859. 

treads  the  earthly  footsteps  of  her  Saviour  may  she  also 
be  treading  the  path  to  heaven.  As  she  stands  on  Mount 
Calvary,  and  in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane,  may  her 
heart  overflow  with  love  to  that  blessed  Saviour  who  bled 
and  died  there  that  she  might  live.  The  Lord  be  with 
her  and  bless  her ;  cause  her  daily  to  grow  in  grace  and 
in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God ;  preserve  her  in  all 
her  wanderings,  and  restore  her  at  last  to  her  home  and 
friends. 

Sabbath,  April  10. — Weather  cloudy  and  very  raw. 
Capital  to  catch  cold.  P.  W.  resumed  his  S.  S.  duties 
to-day,  after  an  absence  of  more  than  two  months.  How 
thankful  we  should  be  to  God  that  He  has  spared  his  life 
and  brought  him  safely  through  a  disease  which  has 
proved  fatal  to  so  many  !  Afternoon,  went  with  P.  to 
hear  Rev.  Mr.  B.  He  lectured  on  the  6th  Psalm,  and  a 
most  beautiful  lecture  it  was.  One  thought  struck  me 
very  forcibly.  It  was,  that  although  the  Christian  will 
be  engaged  in  higher  and  more  exalted  duties  in  heaven, 
yet  there  is  one  duty  which  he  cannot  perform  there,  and 
which,  if  not  attended  to  while  on  earth,  will  be  to  him 
a  source  of  constant  regret,  namely,  the  privilege  that  he 
has  enjoyed  of  leading  a  brother,  a  sister,  or  some  near 
and  dear  friend  to  the  Saviour.  It  must  be  done  in 
time,  for  in  eternity  it  will  be  impossible.  Oh,  if  Christians 
would  speak  more  of  Jesus  with  each  other,  and  with 
those  who  are  strangers  to  His  pardoning  grace  and  love ! 
Evening,  prayer-meeting  at  mission  school.  Messrs.  G. 
and  H.  addressed  them. 

Monday,  April  n. — Rose  at  7.  Pouring  rain.  Read 
"Waverley."  College  at  n.  Home.  Studied  mineralogy. 
Bought  a  magnificent  specimen  of  "  Brucitc  " — the  finest 


.-7-: fat.  1 8.  |  DTARY.  137 

in  the  country.  Lesson  with  L.  Evening,  college  prayer- 
meeting  at  D.  B.'s — sixteen  present — among  them  A.  Z. 
and  E.  B.  I  led  the  meeting.  It  was  one  of  very  deep 
and  solemn  interest.  What  delightful  hours  these  prayer- 
meetings  are  !  How  they  lift  one's  soul  above  the  world, 
right  up  to  his  God  !  Happy  !  happy  !  happy  hours  ! 
Oh  that  M.  were  home  now  to  enjoy  with  me  this  out- 
pouring of  God's  Spirit,  and  to  unite  with  me  in  praising 
God  for  his  goodness.  Came  home  and  found  E.  Club 
prayer-meeting  at  our  house.  About  180  present — among 
them  I  noticed  Messrs.  J.  and  M'M. 

Thursday,  April  14. — Rain,  rain,  rain — a  disagreeable 
April  day.  Arranged,  labelled,  and  tested  minerals. 
Read.  Did  a  great  many  things,  and  yet  might  have 
done  much  more  but  for  procrastination.  What  a  curse 
it  is !  God  preserve  me  from  its  baleful  influence. 
Evening,  Mr.  B.  came  to  tea — very  much  pleased  with 
him,  he  is  so  artless  and  unsophisticated.  We  had  a 
long  talk  about  minerals.  Read  Platther  on  Blow -Pipe. 
Very  painful  neuralgia.  Retired  at  n. 

Friday,  May  6. — Having  finished  my  appointed  Greek 
lesson  this  morning,  I  wandered  about  the  house  for 
something  to  do — too  unwell  to  go  out — too  nervous  to 
read.  What  shall  I  do  1  The  thought  struck  me,  Where 
is  my  Diary  '2  I  have  not  written  in  it  for  a  long  time. 
Away  I  posted  up  stairs,  three  or  four  steps  at  a  time, 
unlocked  the  drawer — the  "  sanctum  sanctorum,"  where 
I  keep  my  private  letters  and  other  et-ceteras.,  and  there 
lay  the  Diary,  just  as  I  had  left  it  nearly  a  month  ago, 
the  cover  brown  with  dust.  As  I  took  it  from  its  hiding- 
place,  it  seemed  to  reproach  me  for  my  long  neglect. 
Well,  old  friend.  I  am  glad  to  see  you  once  again — you: 


138  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1859. 

to  whom  I  have  committed  in  safe  keeping  my  varied 
thoughts,  and  who  have  kept  them  so  well.  I  cannot  tell 
you  all  that  has  passed  through  my  mind,  or  all  that  has 
happened  to  me  since  I  last  had  a  chat  with  you ;  but  I 
will  begin  now  and  try  to  be  more  confiding,  and  more 
punctual  in  waiting  upon  you.  Since  I  wrote  last  I  have 
been  very  sick,  first  with  neuralgia,  then  with  abscess  in 
the  roof  of  my  mouth,  and  lastly  with  severe  diarrhoea;  so 
you  see  I  have  run  a  pretty  fair  rig.  All  the  time  of  my 
sickness  I  was  very  busy  doing  nothing,  except  occa- 
sionally reading  a  little  of  a  novel,  which  is  next  door  to 
idleness.  If  you  ask  me  how  I  got  sick,  I  will  tell  you 
that  last  Monday  week  I  went  out  boating,  to  search  for 
minerals  along  the  Schuylkill.  I  found  nothing  curious 
except  a  dead  horse,  cgainst  which  I  ran  my  boat,  mis- 
taking him  for  an  island !  For  that  little  pastime  I  have 
paid  with  nearly  two  weeks  of  suffering — an  exemplifica- 
tion, I  suppose,  of  the  old  saying,  "  They  that  dance  must 
pay  the  fiddler."  My  fiddler  was  so  expensive  that  I  do 
not  think  I  will  employ  him  again.  Day  before  yesterday 
I  read  "  Guy  Mannering  " — need  I  say,  as  hundreds  have 
said  before  me,  how  charmed  I  was  with  it?  What 
between  book-wormish,  simple  old  Dominie,  never  or 
rarely  getting  beyond  "  Pro-dig-ious  ! "  and  wild  Meg  as 
she  mutters  her  curse  upon  the  Laird  of  Ellangowan  (he 
having  turned  her  and  hers  from  their  squattings  at 
Dencleugh),  I  think  the  tale  inimitable.  What  sad 
pictures  of  crime  Glossen  and  Dirk  Hatteraick  ! 

Since  I  last  wrote  in  you,  I  have  not  purchased,  or  got 
in  any  way,  a  new  mineral.  What  do  you  think  of  that  ? 
The  reason  may  be  that  funds  are  low,  and  I  owe  enough 
already  for  minerals  bought. 


sEtat.  iS.]  DIARY.  139 

Rose  this  morning  at  7.30.  Slept  well  all  night — a 
new  thing  for  me.  Not  well  enough  to  go  to  college. 
Studied  Greek.  Read  Nichol's  "  Architecture  of  the 
Heavens." 

Saturday^  May  7. — College.  Seemed  quite  natural  to 
get  back  again  after  a  long  absence.  Had  lecture  by 
Prof.  F.  Met  Dr.  S.,  who  took  me  to  his  study  and 
showed  me  his  exquisite  chromo-lithographs  of  sea  ferns, 
medusae,  polypi,  &c.  The  grouping  and  other  work  reflect 
great  credit  upon  the  Doctor.  Went  to  Germania  with 
Miss  M.  and  sisters — very  fine  concert,  especially  the 
Symphony  in  C —  by  Beethoven.  Went  to  Mrs.  J.'s,  took 
tea  with  them,  and  spent  a  most  delightful  evening. 
Talked  with  C.  on  the  subject  broached  by  some  of  her 
friends,  as  to  whether  Christ,  when  on  earth,  did  not  lay 
aside  his  divine  nature — a  most  dangerous  and  soul- 
destroying  doctrine  to  be  held  by  any  one.  Had  He 
died  for  us  only  in  His  human  nature,  where  was  there 
that  which  was  remarkable  1  Will  not  husband  die  for 
wife,  and  son  for  mother  1  We  have  numberless  cases  on 
record.  Where  was  then  the  efficacy  and  the  wonder  of 
the  atonement1?  It  was  that  the  Son  of  God,  as  God, 
— still  in  possession  of  His  divine  nature — still  co-equal 
with  God  the  Father — still  God,  eternal,  omnipotent,  and 
omnipresent,  came  into  the  world,  died,  triumphed  over 
death,  and  ascended  gloriously  to  heaven,  carrying  cap- 
tivity captive.  Thought  much  of  M.  I  fear  that  the 
war  now  bursting  out  all  over  Europe  will  seriously 
impede  their  progress,  especially  in  the  south  of  Europe. 
But  I  have  no  fear.  I  have  committed  her  and  her  com- 
panions to  the  keeping  of  the  "  Shepherd  of  Israel,  who 
slumbers  not  nor  sleeps." 


I4o  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART,         [1859. 

Wednesday,  May  n. — Rose  at  7.  College.  Stayed 
to  prayer-meeting.  Came  home — practised — taken  with 
severe  attack  of  vertigo,  which  rendered  me  very  unfit 
for  study.  Lesson  with  L.  To-day  is  the  twenty-second 
anniversary  of  mother's  wedding.  May  God  spare  her 
to  see  many,  many  more  ;  and  may  her  children  be  such 
as  will  cheer  and  comfort  their  parents  in  their  declining 
years. 

Saturday,  May  14. — College  as  usual.  Went  to  noon 
prayer-meeting.  Read.  Spent  evening  at  aunt  F.'s,  to 
meet  Miss  D.  A.  and  her  sisters — a  very  pleasant  even- 
ing. This  night  two  weeks  I  will  have  finished  college, 
and  that  for  ever.  Joyous,  yet  sad  thought !  The  first 
great  era  in  my  life  has  closed — the  preparation  is  done 
— the  strife  must  now  begin.  Thus  far,  in  a  measure, 
others  have  thought  for  me,  now  I  must  think  and  act 
for  myself.  The  world  lies  before  me,  with  its  two  great 
paths;  the  one,  broad  and  smooth,  crowded  with  seekers 
after  pleasure ;  the  other,  a  narrow  road,  with  here  and 
there  a  traveller.  Which!  the  right  or  the  left?  Let  me 
say,  with  Joshua,  "  Let  others  do  as  they  may,  as  for  me 
I  will  serve  the  Lord."  May  God  give  me  grace  to  earn- 
out  this  noble  resolution,  for  without  His  strengthening 
Spirit  I  can  do  nothing. 

Sabbath,  May  15. — Rose  at  7.  One  of  the  most 
beautiful  Sabbaths  I  ever  saw.  School  as  usual.  After- 
noon, taught  male  Bible  class — spoke  to  them  very  ear- 
nestly on  the  subject  of  prayer.  Evening,  prayer-meeting 
at  mission  school — addressed  them  from  Luke  xix.  10 — 
spoke  for  almost  half  an  hour.  Read  Col.  i.  Retired  at 
1 1.15.  Verse  to  think  about  during  the  week,  "  Let  youi 
conversation  be  such  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ." 


JEtaL  1 8.]  DIARY.  141 

Monday,  May  1 6. —Rose  at  6.30.  Weather  cool  and 
beautiful.  College.  Prof.  F.  showed  us  experiments 
on  polarized  light.  Went  to  see  about  having  class 
photograph  taken.  Evening,  attended  Anniversary  of 
Sab.  School  Association.  The  exercises  consisted  of 
voluntary  addresses  from  S.  S.  teachers,  interspersed  with 
singing.  The  statements  were  deeply  interesting  and 
thrilling,  and  two  hours  very  quickly  passed  away.  We 
do  not  realize  as  we  should  the  importance  of  this  work, 
— that  the  great  King  has  committed  to  our  care  these 
gems,  precious  gems  of  immortality.  WThen  we  leave 
our  classes  on  Sabbath  we  know  not  but  that  ere  another 
comes  round,  Death  may  steal  in  and  snatch  away  the 
lamb.  We  should  ask  ourselves  each  Sabbath,  Have  I 
done  this  day  all  that  I  could  to  bring  my  class  to  Jesus'? 
Have  I  prayed  for  them  as  I  should?  If  you  can  with 
a  clear  conscience  say,  "  I  have,"  then  happy,  thrice 
happy,  thrice  blessed  Sabbath  school  teacher:  yours  will 
be  indeed  a  rich  reward. 

Tuesday,  May  17. — College  as  usual.  Went  to  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  with  uncle  John — spent 
much  time  in  wandering  about  there. 

Wednesday,  May  18. — College.  Went  to  see  about 
class  photographs.  Called  to  see  A.  S.,  who  had  a 
hemorrhage  of  the  lungs  last  Saturday,  and  has  been  very 
low — found  him  better.  Took  tea  with  uncle  John. 
News  just  arrived  of  the  death  of  Humboldt.  The 
greatest  man  of  the  nineteenth  century  is  no  more !  His 
knowledge  is  gone,  and  he  sleeps  quietly  and  uncon- 
sciously as  the  humblest  peasant.  Death  is  truly  the 
great  leveller  of  all  men.  J.  T.  of  Buffalo  spent  the 
evening  with  us. 


142  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1859. 

Thursday ',  May  19. — College  as  usual.  Last  day  I 
will  ever  be  there  to  recite.  Feel  sad  at  leaving, 
although  I  would  be  very  unwilling  to  stay  another  year. 
Sabbath^  May  22. — School  as  usual  in  the  morning — 
attendance  small.  Afternoon,  much  better.  Heard 
Rev.  M.  B.  lecture  on  Ps.  ix. — was  delighted  with  him, 
as  indeed  I  always  am.  Evening,  addressed  S.  school 
from  the  words,  "  Watch,  for  the  night  cometh."  Attend- 
ance small,  but  very  attentive. 

Saturday,  May  28. — Rose  at  7.  Went  to  town  at  8. 
College.  Passed — all  right — anA.B.  Hurrah!  During 
the  past  week  I  have  been  unable  to  write  in  my  Diary 
as  I  desired,  owing  to  my  examinations.  They  were  as 
follow : — 

Friday Prof.  V. — Our  Government. 

Monday Prof.  F. — Physical  Geography. 

Tuesday Prof.  C. — English  Literature. 

Wednesday. ...  Prof.  J. — Horace,  Ars  Poetica,  and 
8th  Satire  of  Juvenal. 

Thursday Prof.  K.— Calculus. 

Friday Prof.  A. — Plutarch's  Vita  Caesaria. 

I  got  through  very  well,  and  am  now  A.B.  Since  I  last 
wrote  we  have  moved  to  "  Springbrook."  Rev.  Dr.  T., 
wife,  and  J.,  from  Buffalo,  are  staying  with  us  for  a  few 
days.  To-night,  as  venerable  V.  would  say,  "  I  step  up 
a  step  and  am  one  of  the  alumni." 

Sabbath,  May  29. — Church  in  morning.  Read  in 
"  Footsteps  of  St.  Paul."  Walked  in  the  woods.  Spent 
some  time  in  prayer. 

Tuesday,  May  31. — Went  to  Synod.  Heard  Report 
of  Committee  on  Union,  and  addresses  from  Drs.  M'L. 
and  H.  M'M.  Father  invited  all  the  Synod  to  spend  the 


18.]  DIARY.  143 

afternoon  at  Springbrook.  They  arrived  at  4  and  went 
in  at  10.  Spent  a  very  delightful  afternoon. 

Thursday,  June  2. — Went  to  Synod.  Worked  in 
laboratory.  Arranged  finally  to  start  on  my  western 
trip  next  Wednesday.  Read  in  Collins'  and  Gray's 
Poems. 

Sabbath,  June  5. — Drove  to  town  with  father.  Went 
to  S.  school — found  everything  going  on  as  usual.  Bade 
Phil,  good-bye.  Drove  out  with  father.  After  tea  had 
sacred  music.  A  thought  struck  me  to-day,  and  is  worth 
remembering.  When  our  Saviour  was  walking  with  the 
disciples  on  the  way  to  Emmaus,  on  reaching  that  place 
He  would  fain  go  on,  but  they  constrained  Him  to  come 
in  and  sup  with  them,  for  the  day  was  far  spent.  They 
constrained  Him  to  come  in  and  dwell  with  them,  and 
what  was  the  consequence?  He  blessed  them.  Jesus 
is  walking  with  us  now — have  we  asked  Him — are  we 
asking  Him  to  come  in  and  dwell  with  us?  If  we  do 
not,  He  may  pass  on  and  never  return.  The  day,  to  us, 
may  be  far  spent.  Oh,  let  us  look  carefully  to  it  that  \\  o 
constrain  Jesus  to  come  in  and  dwell  with  us !  He  has 
given  us  the  blessed  assurance  that  He  will  come  and 
make  His  abode  with  us.  I  am  much  discouraged  with 
myself  that  I  make  so  little  advance  in  Christian  grace. 
I  fear  I  trust  too  much  to  myself — too  little  to  God. 

Sabbath,  June  1 2. — How  weak  I  feel  in  my  Christian 
faith  1  What  a  mere  child  I  am !  Every  step  I  take  I 
falter.  When  I  pray,  my  thoughts  wander  over  the  hills 
of  vanity.  Truly,  "  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  pres- 
ent with  me."  I  pray  God  that  all  the  support  I  am 
tempted  to  place  on  my  weak  self  may  be  removed,  and 
that  I  may  rest  solely  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages  — that 
10 


144  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1859. 

Rock  which  is  higher  than  I.  Oh,  that  I  might  live 
more  above  the  world,  and  not  in  the  world.  What  is 
there  that  requires  sucn  careful  watching  as  the  human 
heart1?  Man  cannot  control  it  but  by  the  grace  of  God. 
Conducted  family  worship. 

Sabbath,  June  19 — MILWAUKIE. — In  the  morning 
went  to  hear  Rev.  J.  C.  R.,  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
who  was  the  most  eminent  man  in  that  Church  in  the 
North-west;  but,  alas,  his  mind  is  failing.  Severe  study 
has  bent  the  bow  of  reason  beyond  what  it  could  endure. 
The  discourse  was  from  Gen.  i.  i — very  rambling — per- 
fect blasphemy  in  the  pulpit.  The  man  is  more  to  be 
pitied  than  condemned.  What  a  difficult  place  a  hotel 
is  to  keep  the  Sabbath  in!  One  needs  to  keep  his 
Christian  graces  in  very  lively  exercise.  Read  Rev.  xi., 
and  retired  at  10.  Text  for  this  week,  "  Watch  and  pray.'' 

Monday,  June  20. — Wandered  about  the  hotel  until 
dinner  time.  Took  the  3.15  train  for  Racine.  There 
took  the  train  on  the  Racine  and  Mississippi  Road  for 
Beloit.  The  ride  was  through  a  country  singularly 
beautiful,  and  I  enjoyed  it  greatly.  Arrived  at  Beloit 
about  8 — took  tea,  and  at  10.30  started  for  Belvidere. 
Again  took  the  cars  on  the  Galena  and  Chicago  Road 
for  Freeport.  At  the  last  place  took  the  Illinois  Central 
for  Warren.  About  i,  I  began  to  sleep. 

Tuesday,  June  21. — Awoke  about  3,  and  found  we 
were  approaching  Warren.  Going  from  the  cars  we 
found  the  morning  very  cold,  and  were  glad-  to  gather 
around  the  fire  at  the  Burnett  House — a  rather  mean 
little  shanty  in  the  middle  of  the  prairie,  where  we  got  a 
very  mean  breakfast.  At  7.45  started  for  Mineral  Point. 
After  a  beautiful  ride  through  a  hilly  country,  diversified 


ALlat.  18.]  DIARY.  145 

with  prairies,  we  arrived  at  noon.  Our  friend  Mr.  B.  met 
us  at  the  depot,  and  escorted  us  to  the  hotel.  Here  we 
have  as  comfortable  a  room  as  a  man  can  wish  for.  After 
partaking  of  a  very  good,  substantial,  country  dinner,  we 
started  on  horseback  for  the  copper  mines.  Hardly  had 
we  left  the  hotel  when  my  horse  fell,  and  I  barely  saved 
myself  from  being  seriously  injured  by  leaping  over  his 
head.  Safely  ensconced  on  his  back,  we  pursued  our 
way  to  the  mines,  which  lie  about  a  mile  and  a  half  N.E. 
from  Mineral  Point.  The  largest  shaft  is  about  seventy 
feet  in  depth — the  copper  is  in  the  form  of  pyrites,  very 
rich,  interspersed  with  iron  pyrites,  known  to  the  miners 
as  "  mundic."  After  a  tour  of  inspection  through  the 
giounds,  with  which  we  were  highly  pleased,  we  returned 
to  the  hotel. 

Salbath,  July  10. — MILWAUKIE. — Went  to  hear  Rev. 
Mr.  B.  preach — text  2  Chron.  xxxiii.  12,  13 — subject  the 
conversion  of  Manasseh,  showing  how  true  his  repent- 
ance was,  in  contrast  with  that  of  Ahab,  and  how  God 
revealed  himself  to  him  in  his  affliction.  Heard  Mr.  B. 
again  in  the  afternoon,  being  so  much  pleased  with  his 
morning  discourse.  After  tea,  we  walked  to  the  bluff 
overhanging  the  lake,  and  sat  there  for  several  hours, 
enjoying  the  scenery  and  watching  the  moonlight  as  it 
rose  over  the  waters.  Involuntarily  my  thoughts  sped  to 
the  loved  ones  at  home,  and  lingering  there  a  while,  flew 
onward  with  unerring  aim  to  that  land  rendered  sacred 
by  the  footsteps  of  the  blessed  Jesus;  and  there  they 
rested  fondly  and  happily  on  her  who  to  me  is  above  all 
else  earthly.  How  far  we  are  separated  !  A  thousand 
miles  from  home,  five  thousand  from  her  I  love;  yet  the 
same  God  watches  over  us — the  same  omnipotent  hand 


146  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1859. 

is  ever  stretched  out  to  save  us,  and  will  ever  guard  us 
from  danger,  and  in  due  time  unite  us  again.  Thrice 
have  I  been  at  the  very  gates  of  death,  I  might  say,  yet 
God  has  kept  me.  What  can  I  render  to  Him  for  all 
His  goodness '?  All  He  asks  is  my  heart. 

Monday,  Sept.  19. — More  than  two  months  have  passed 
since  I  opened  my  Diary  :  so  much  for  neglecting  it  a 
single  day.  From  this  time  forth  I  trust  it  shall  be  kept 
more  punctually.  Began  Essay  on  the  "  North- West," 
to  be  read  before  the  Christian  Association. 

Friday,  Nov.  4. — Again  I  open  my  Diary  after  a  long 
silence ;  but  now  that  •  I  am  settled  in  town  I  trust  it 
will  be  faithfully  kept.  Went  to  the  store  as  usual. 
Carne  home  with  a  lame  foot,  and  labelled  minerals, 
arranged  books,  and  wrote.  Have  a  prospect  of  going 
west  next  week  as  far  as  Louisville  and  Chicago,  but 
nothing  definite  is  decided  yet.  We  have  still  with  us 
the  Irish  delegation,  consisting  of  Dr.  Edgar  and  Rev. 
Messrs.  Wilson  and  Dill.  It  is  with  Mr.  Wilson  that  I 
propose  to  go  west  :  he  will  be  good  company. 

Saturday,  Nov.  5. — Went  to  Germania  for  the  first  time 
this  season.  Took  tea  and  spent  the  evening  with  C.  J. 
Another  week  has  passed,  and  I  am  yet  spared  in  life. 
When  I  look  back  over  it,  I  feel  that  indeed  1  have  left 
undone  much  that  I  ought  to  have  done,  and  done  much 
that  I  ought  not  to  have  done  ;  and  this  night  my  prayer 
is,  "  Lord,  increase  my  faith '' — perfect  my  trust  in 
Thee — wean  my  thoughts  and  affections  more  from  the 
world,  and  centre  them  on  Thyself — make  me  a  new 
creature  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  may  it  be  my  meat  and 
drink  to  do  my  Master's  will.  May  I  live  unto  the  Lord, 
and  not  unto  myself,  ever  striving  to  get  nearer  and 


19.]  DIARY.  147 

nearer  to  my  God,  and  let  no  opportunity  of  serving  Him 
pass  by  unimproved. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  6. — Sabbath  school  as  usual.  Attend- 
ance large.  After  school  had  a  prayer-meeting — ad- 
dressed by  Messrs.  H.  and  G.  I  find  it  very  hard  to 
deal  with  the  boys  :  they  are  wicked  beyond  description, 
and  need  much  patience  and  prayer;  both  of  which  it 
persevered  in  will  do  much  to  solemnize  their  minds  and 
bring  them  to  Jesus.  Took  C.  J.  to  hear  Rev.  Mr.  Dill — 
found  church  so  much  crowded  as  not  to  be  able  to  get  in. 

Saturday,  Nov.  1 2 — NEW  YORK. — Rose  at  7.  Started 
at  1 1  for  Albany.  Cloudy  and  rainy,  so  that  we  had  no 
pleasure  in  viewing  the  scenery.  Arrived  at  5.30,  very 
tired.  Dr.  Sprague  met  us  at  the  depot,  and  took  us  to 
his  house — very  much  pleased  with  him. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  21. — Rose  at  6.45.  Read  Job,  gth 
chap.  Went  to  store.  Read  in  Humboldt's  VieAvs  of 
Nature.  Went  to  noon  prayer-meeting  and  to  see  if  C.  J. 
would  go  with  me  to  hear  Rev.  Mr.  Guiness.  Heard 
from  S.  VV. — she  is  sinking  slowly.  What  is  our  loss  is 
her  inestimable  gain.  She  is  a  bright,  consistent  Chris- 
tian. Would  that  I  were  like  her !  Evening,  went  to 
hear  Mr.  Guiness — text,  "  If  I  regard  iniquity  in  my 
heart,  the  Lord  will  not  hear  me," — a  solemn,  searching 
sermon.  I  trust  I  am  beginning  to  see  more  of  Jesus. 
God  has  been  hiding  His  face  from  me,  but  if  I  persist 
in  earnest  supplication  he  will  make  me  to  rejoice.  I 
fear  that  I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart — that  there  is 
something  that  I  love  better  than  Jesus.  If  there  be 
such  in  me,  O  God, 

"  Help  me  to  tear  it  from  1'hy  throne, 
And  worship  only  Thee." 


148  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1859. 

I  fee!  that  in  times  past  I  have  become  cold  and  indiffer- 
ent, and  God  has  punished  me  for  it ;  and  now  my 
heart's  cry  unto  God  is,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me 
to  do1?"  Am  I  now  in  the  line  of  duty1?  If  not,  direct 
me,  O  God — lead  me  in  the  way  in  which  Thou  wilt  have 
me  go,  even  the  way  everlasting. 

Thursday,  Dec.  22. — Weather  clear  and  cold.  Went 
to  noon  prayer-meeting — very  interesting.  From  every 
place  the  cry  of  the  revival  comes,  and  the  anxiety  ot 
awakened  souls.  Afternoon  spent  with  N.  R. — a  lovely 
girl,  for  whom  I  have  a  high  regard.  Went  with  sisters 
to  Miss  M.'s  annual  party — pleasant  evening,  but  do  not 
like  parties.  Home  at  u,  tired  and  sleepy.  Retired 
at  12. 

Saturday,  Dec.  24. — Rose  at  7.  Store  as  usual.  Went 
to  noon  prayer-meeting — did  not  enjoy  the  exercises  as  I 
usually  do — fear  I  was  not  in  a  proper  frame  of  mind. 
God  grant  me  more  grace.  Afternoon,  went  Christmasing 
with  N.  After  tea  spent  Christmas  Eve,  as  we  always 
do,  in  looking  over  and  talking  about  our  presents. 
How  grateful  should  we  be  to  God  that  He  has  preserved 
us  to  see  another  Christmas  in  health  and  prosperity !  and 
should  we  not  make  Him  the  only  present  that  He  asks 
from  us- — our  undivided  hearts  1  It  is  the  least  that  we 
can  do.  He  has  done  much  for  us — should  we  not  do 
thus  much  for  Him?  Retired  at  11.30. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  25. — Weather  clear  and  cold.  School 
as  usual.  Attendance  good.  Afternoon,  second  Anni- 
versary of  our  Mission — attendance  large — addresses  by 
Rev.  Dr.  W.,  Rev.  S.  P.  H.,  and  J.  G.  Evening,  pre- 
sided at  Diligent  prayer-meeting. 

Monday,  Dec.  26. — Went  down  town  with  G.  W.,  and 


/Etat.  19.]  DIARY.  149 

to  noon  prayer-meeting — attendance  very  large,  and 
deeply  interesting.  Afternoon,  spent  playing  with  the 
children  and  talking  with  Rev.  S.  P.  H.  Retired  at  12, 
and  thus  ended  Christmas  1859.  Another  year  has 
gone — another  Christmas  passed !  Who  shall  see  the 
next  1  Not  one  of  us  can  tell.  It  becomes  us  then  to 
be  up  and  doing,  now  while  we  have  life,  and  health,  and 
hope — to  give  ourselves  away  to  the  Lord  Jesus  in  a 
covenant  never  to  be  forgotten. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  i,  1860. — Weather  clear  and  very  cold. 
"  A  Happy  New  Year,"  I  hear  from  every  side.  The 
happiest  they  can  wish  me  is  that  I  might  live  nearer  to 
God — that  I  might  have  more  faith  and  earnestness. 
That  would  indeed  be  a  happy  new  year.  S.  school  as 
usual.  Afternoon,  annual  sermon  by  Mr.  Guiness — at- 
tendance very  large.  Our  school  mustered  eighty — 
behaved  very  well. 

Wednesday,  Jan.  n. — Weather  damp  and  raw.  Suffer- 
ing much  from  sore  throat.  Store  as  usual.  Attended 
class  meeting  of  my  fellow-students — a  very  pleasant  re- 
union. Afternoon,  store — very  busy.  Evening,  went  to 
mission  school — spoke  from  Job  xxviii.  18-28.  Met 
C.  J.  on  my  way  home — went  in  and  sat  an  hour.  Mrs. 
W.  is  sinking  rapidly ;  but  the  change  will  be  a  glorious, 
happy  one.  Would  that  I  were  like  her !  but  I  must 
take  no  pattern  save  Jesus.  Would  that  I  had  more 
grace — more  of  His  Spirit !  In  a  week  M.  will  be  with 
me,  and  I  shall  see  her  face  to  face.  I  wonder  if  she 
will  be  much  changed.  A  brighter,  better  Christian,  I 
hope. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  24. — Weather  clear  and  mild.     Went  to 


ISO  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1860. 

see  A.  and  M.  who  returned  from  Europe  last  night. 
M.  goes  to  Milton  to-morrow  to  see  her  sister  S.  It  is 
sad  indeed  that  they  have  come  home  only,  as  it  were, 
to  see  her  die.  God  grant  that  as  she  nears  the  tomb 
her  faith  may  become  brighter  and  firmer — that  daily 
Jesus  may  be  more  and  more  precious  unto  her  soul;  and 
that  at  last,  in  full  assurance  of  hope,  she  may  enter  her 
Father's  house,  there  to  dwell  with  Him  who  loved  her 
and  gave  Himself  for  her,  throughout  eternity. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  29. — S.  school  as  usual.  Addressed 
News  Boys  at  their  Home,  237  South  Third  Street. 
Took  for  my  subject  the  character  of  Samuel,  as  one 
eminently  worthy  of  their  imitation — spoke  for  nearly 
half  an  hour — felt  very  deeply  what  I  said.  They  lis- 
tened with  serious  attention.  Evening,  went  to  J.'s  to 
hear  how  Mrs.  W.  is.  They  heard  yesterday,  when  she 
was  free  from  pain,  but  very  weak.  Sat  with  Mrs.  J.  and 
C.  all  evening — had  prayers  with  them.  Spent,  I  trust, 
a  profitable  evening. 

Saturday,  Feb.  4. — Very  cold.  Felt  very  happy  this 
morning.  I  believe  God  is  answering  my  prayers,  and 
that  indeed  I  am  beginning  to  enjoy  more  of  His  Spirit's 
presence.  As  I  read  my  morning  psalm,  in  regular 
course,  I  felt  tears  of  happiness  and  peace  starting  in  my 
eyes.  Oh,  may  I  daily  have  a  closer  walk  with  God ! 
What  happiness  I  would  then  have  !  and  why  should  I 
not  have  it?  I  am  daily  nearing  eternity,  should  I  not 
be  also  daily  nearing  heaven,  and  getting  closer  to  God  1 
Store  as  usual.  Went  to  noon  prayer-meeting — enjoyed 
it  much.  God's  Spirit  was  there,  and  where  that  is,  God's 
people  will  be  happy.  Afternoon,  suffered  much  from 
dyspepsia.  Evening,  read  M'Clintock's  Narrative  of  a 


Altot.  19.]  DIARY.  151 

Search  for  Sir  John  Franklin — a  deeply,  sadly  inter- 
esting book.  What  a  blessed  thing  it  is  to  have  that 
peace  of  mind  and  joy  which  passeth  all  understanding! 
I  feel  of  late  more  waked  up  to  duty  than  ever  before. 
A  great  work  is  to  be  done — there  are  but  few  to  do  it. 
I  hear  a  voice  from  heaven  crying,  "  Work !  work ! 
work,  while  it  is  day."  God  grant  me  grace  and  strength 
and  energy  to  engage  more  deeply  in  His  service. 

Monday,  April  30. — This  day  two  months  ago  I  at- 
tended Mrs.  S.  W.'s  funeral;  and  to-day  we  have  been 
called  to  follow  the  remains  of  our  dear  friend  Mr.  J., 
[her  father,]  to  their  final  resting-place.  How  mysteri- 
ous is  the  providence  of  God  !  How  are  His  ways  past 
finding  out !  This  night  a  week  ago  I  took  tea  with 
him — he  was  in  perfect  health  ;  now  the  grave  has  for 
ever  closed  over  his  remains!  How  crushing  to  that 
family,  so  dearly  loved,  and  whose  heart-strings  were  and 
are  so  tenderly  wound  about  him.  Yet  why  should  they 
mourn?  Rather  should  they  rejoice  that  he  has  passed 
from  the  land  of  the  dying  to  the  land  of  the  living.  I 
doubt  not  but  that  he  was  an  humble  child  of  God.  May 
God  bless  this  sad  affliction  to  every  one  of  them. 

Saturday,  June  16. — Rose  at  6.  Damp  and  foggy. 
I  fear  I  do  not  grow  in  grace  as  I  should.  I  am  not  as 
earnest  in  prayer  as  I  ought  to  be.  God  grant  that  I 
may  ever  be  looking  more  and  more  unto  Jesus.  As 
long  as  we  keep  our  eyes  and  our  trust  fixed  upon 
Him,  so  long  will  we  continue  to  grow;  remove  them., 
and  our  steps  are  backward. 

Monday,  July  9. — Went  to  J.  T.'s  funeral.  We  laid 
him  in  his  grave  at  Woodlands,  there  to  rest  until  the 
last  trump  shall  sound  and  the  dead  be  raised  incorrupt- 


152  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1860. 

ible.  After  the  funeral  had  dispersed  I  walked  over  to 
Mrs.  J.'s  lot,  and  for  some  time  gazed  upon  the  little 
mounds  beneath  whose  grassy  tops  rest  the  beloved 
forms  of  M.'s  father  and  sister.  They  were  dear  to  me  as 
well  as  to  her.  Often  have  I  felt  my  heart  rise  and  swell 
within  me  as  I  talked  with  that  sister  (Mrs.  W.)  about 
heaven  and  Jesus — so  precious  to  our  souls.  Oh,  that  I 
may  follow  her  as  she  followed  Jesus !  Her  race  is  run, 
her  conflict  o'er;  would  that  her  mantle  might  descend 
upon  me,  that  I  might  have  that  peace  and  happiness 
which  she  so  fully  enjoyed.  Picked  for  M.  a  sprig  of 
fern  from  their  graves.  Back  to  the  store.  Home  at  4. 
Worked  with  microscope  until  6. 

Monday,  July  16. — Rose  at  4,  intending  to  write. 
Bathed.  Found  it  so  hot  when  I  dressed  that  writing 
was  out  of  the  question.  Sat  under  the  trees  and  read 
"  Quits."  Went  to  town  as  usual — took  music  lesson. 
At  4  went  to  Lansdowne.  Conducted  family  worship. 
What  a  consolation  the  doctrine  of  the  recognition  of 
saints  is!  It  binds  us  closer  to  the  dear  ones  here,  to 
think  that  when  re-united  after  the  short  separation  of 
death,  it  will  be  never  to  be  torn  asunder. 

Sabbath,  July  22 — LANSDOWNE. — Rose  at  6.  Weather 
clear  and  cool,  after  the  showers  of  last  night.  Break- 
fasted at  7.30,  after  which  retired  to  my  room  and  spent 
a  delightful  half  hour  in  prayer  to  God.  Rose  from  it 
much  refreshed  in  spirit — felt  as  though  I  had  been 
heard,  and  that  this  Sabbath  is  indeed  going  to  be  to  me 
one  of  precious  nearness  of  God's  Holy  Spirit.  I  know 
God  is  always  with  me,  yet  I  do  not  always  feel  His  pres- 
ence as  I  would  desire.  Sometimes  I  call,  but  He  an- 
swers not — I  seek  His  face,  but  in  vain;  yet  I  know  He 


ALlat  20.]  DIARY.  153 

is  with  me,  for  he  has  promised  "  1  will  never  leave  thee 
nor  forsake  thee." 

At  the  usual  hour  went  to  church.  Mr.  H.  preached. 
Sermon  good;  and  though  hardly  as  clear  and  concise  as 
I  would  have  desired,  all  was  amply  compensated  for  in 
the  fact  that  his  words  were  those  of  one  who  felt  what 
he  said,  and  who  earnestly  desired  the  salvation  of  his 
hearers.  And  this,  after  all,  is  what  the  Church  needs — 
an  earnest  ministry.  When  men  are  less  in  their  studies 
and  more  among  their  people ;  when  they  labour  more 
and  strive  harder  to  save  souls  than  to  polish  their  ser- 
mons, then  will  the  Church  of  Christ  go  forward  and 
take  her  stand  first,  and  over  all  the  so-called  religions  of 
the  earth. 

Read  a  very  beautiful  book  entitled  "  Life's  Morning." 
The  chapter  which  particularly  interested  me  was  headed, 
"What  have  I  done  for  Jesus?"  The  question  struck 
me  forcibly,  and  came  home  to  my  soul  with  solemn  and 
momentous  import,  affording  me  food  for  an  hour's  deep, 
and,  I  trust,  profitable  meditation.  After  the  children's 
usual  singing,  had  family  worship,  which  I  conducted, 
reading  Eccles.  xii.  Retired  thinking  on  this  verse, 
"  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us." 

Friday,  Aug.  10. — My  twentieth  birth-day!  Rose  at 
6.  Spent  a  precious  day  with  M.,  and  left  at  4  P.M.  for 
New  York,  to  meet  father,  who  is  expected  to-morrow  in 
the  Adriatic.  Well !  twenty  to-day !  What  a  change 
even  a  year  makes !  Here  I  am,  almost  of  age,  engaged 
to  be  married,  and  in  business.  Has  the  same  happy 
change  come  over  my  spiritual  life1?  I  am  nearer  eternity  ! 
am  I  nearer  to  God?  Are  my  views  of  eternity  and 
hopes  for  heaven  brighter  and  clearer  than  they  were  a 


154  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1860. 

year  ago  ?  What  have  I  done,  for  God  during  the  past 
year?  Have  I  done  what  I  ought,  and  what  I  easily 
might  have  done?  Ah,  no!  I  feel  that  I  have  come  far 
short  of  my  duty  to  God  and  to  those  around  me.  I 
have  wasted  many  precious  hours,  and  frittered  away  many 
heaven-sent  opportunities.  What  is  to  be  done?  I  can- 
not mend  the  past!  No  ;  but  this  I  can  do — resolve,  in 
the  strength  of  promised  grace,  to  do  more  during  the 
present  year  than  I  have  ever  done  before.  Almighty 
God,  pardon  my  shortcomings,  and  give  me  grace  to  live 
nearer  to  Thyself,  and  to  work  more  earnestly  in  Thy 
glorious  cause. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  19. — Very  warm.  Church,  as  usual. 
After  dinner,  I  took  up  and  read  a  new  book  which 
father  brought  home,  entitled  "  London  by  Moonlight 
Mission,"  by  Lieut.  Blackmore — an  account  of  his 
labours  for  thirteen  years  among  the  unfortunate  females 
of  London.  As  I  read  its  thrilling  pages,  and  saw  the 
earnest  avidity  with  which  they  seized  upon  his  offer  to 
save  them,  together  with  the  dangers  which  beset  them, 
and  the  few  who  care  for  their  souls,  the  old  desire  re- 
kindled in  my  bosom  to  do  something  for  them  in  our 
own  city.  Poor  unfortunates !  literally,  no  one  cares  for 
their  souls.  Our  mothers,  wives,  and  sisters 'will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  them.  If  their  salvation  is  ever 
effected,  and  they  are  ever  snatched  from  a  life  of 
wretchedness  and  an  eternity  of  woe,  it  must  be  done  by 
the  sterner  sex.  A  year  or  so  ago  this  idea  forced  itself 
strongly  upon  my  mind;  but  I  felt  that  I  was  too  young, 
and  did  not  at  all  see  my  way  clear.  Now  that  it  has 
come  again,  shall  I  resist  the  call?  O  God,  show  me 
the  right  way,  and  then  give  me  grace  to  press  forward 


s£faf.  20.]  DIARY.  155 

in  it.  I  will  write  to  Lieut.  Blackmore  soon,  and  inquire 
of  him  fully  as  to  his  plans;  and  then,  if  I  can  enlist  G. 
or  some  other  of  my  working  friends,  God  and  eternity 
only  will  know  the  result.  I  do  not  intend  that  this  shall 
at  all  interfere  with  my  mission  school  work — by  no 
means ;  but  I  am  sure  I  can  devote  one  night  a  week  to 
it.  I  will  make  this  the  subject  of  special  fervent  prayer 
to  God.  Having  taken  the  necessary  steps,  I  will  leave 
all  in  His  care,  knowing  that  He  will  direct  me  to  do 
that  which  will  be  best  for  myself,  and  best  for  the  pro- 
motion of  His  kingdom.  "  Work  while  it  is  day :  the 
night  cometh." 

Wednesday,  Aug.  22. — Rose  at  7.  Went  to  town  at  8. 
Weather  very  oppressive.  Business  dull.  Went  to 
Mercantile  Library,  where  I  spent  an  hour  profitably. 
Left  town  at  4 — reached  Lansdowne  at  5.30.  After  retir- 
ing to  my  room,  planned  my  Essay  on  "  The  Microscope 
and  its  Revelations."  Did  not  get  to  bed  until  after  i. 

Thursday,  Aug.  23. — Rose  at  7.  Overslept  myself. 
Had  a  severe  storm  in  the  night,  which  I,  as  usual,  un- 
consciously slept  through.  Business  dull.  Came  out  at 
4.  Very  hot.  Worked  till  tea  time  with  microscopic 
objects.  After  tea,  lit  my  lamp  to  continue  my  work, 
but  hardly  had  I  begun  when  the  perspiration  began  to 
stream  down  my  forehead.  In  disgust  I  blew  out  the 
lamp,  and,  book  in  hand,  went  to  find  some  cooler  spot 
where  I  might  study;  but  between  bugs,  heat,  and  the 
talking  of  those  around  me  (I  fancy  they  would  not  like 
to  see  this  latter)  I  was  obliged  to  give  up  microscoping 
as  a  "  bad  go,"  for  one  night  at  least. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  26. — Rose  at  6.30.  Not  remarkably 
well.  Weather  delightfully  cool  and  pleasant.  Church 


156  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.        [1860. 

in  the  morning  as  usual — a  good  practical  sermon.  After 
dinner  retired  to  my  room  and  wrote  two  little  snatches, 
one  on  "  God's  Threatenings,"  the  other  on  "  God's 
Chastisements."  Had  a  severe  attack  of  diarrhoea,  from 
which  I  suffered  much  all  afternoon.  M.  is  much  in  my 
thoughts  to-day.  It  is  one  of  sadness  to  her.  This  day- 
six  months  ago  her  dear  sister  died ;  and  this  day  four 
months,  her  father.  Thus  in  half  a  year  God  has  seen 
fit  to  take  from  that  household  two  of  its  much-loved 
members.  Yet  how  consoling  the  thought  of  which  M. 
and  I  were  speaking  the  other  evening — that  none  of  the 
sorrows  from  heaven  but  have  their  more  than  redeeming 
joy !  Blessed  provision  of  a  loving  Father ! — when  He 
smites,  He  at  the  same  time  pours  in  the  healing  oil. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  2. — Rose  at  8.  Felt  much  refreshed 
and  ready  for  a  good  day's  work.  Went  to  school  at  9, 
and  was  most  heartily  welcomed  back  by  both  teachers 
and  scholars.  Dined  with  G.  Afternoon,  school — attend- 
ance very  good.  After  school,  in  company  with  Wh.,  M., 
and  W.,  started  for  one  of  the  courts  near  the  school,  to 
hold  an  open-air  prayer-meeting.  Having  found  a  place, 
and  obtained  permission  to  use  steps  as  a  pulpit,  we 
began  to  sing  the  hymn  "  Just  as  I  am,"  &c.  Immedi- 
ately the  crowd  began  to  gather,  and  before  we  were 
done  singing  we  had  an  audience  of  one  hundred.  I 
then  led  in  prayer,  and  never  with  more  pleasure  and 
comfort.  After  singing  and  reading,  Wh.  addressed 
them,  then  M.  and  myself.  We  continued  the  exercises 
three-quarters  of  an  hour,  and  then  distributed  tracts. 
From  thence  we  wervt  to  i2th  and  Brinton  Streets,  where 
we  held  a  much  larger  meeting,  there  being  about  three 
hundred  and  fifty  present.  I  addressed  them  from  the 


Mtat.  20.]  DIARY.  157 

words,  "  Pie  will  by  no  means  clear  the  guilty."  Many 
were  in  tears.  In  the  evening  held  our  regular  prayer 
meeting,  when  my  text  was,  "  Consider  your  ways." 
Came  home  at  9.30,  rejoicing  in  my  heart  for  what  I 
had  been  permitted  to  see  to-day.  It  is  a  day  long  to  be 
remembered.  I  feel  my  soul  refreshed  and  strengthened. 
Sabbath,  Sept.  16. — Went  to  church  at  Holmesburg, 
and  heard  a  most  excellent  sermon  from  Rev.  Mr.  B.  He 
dined  with  us.  Went  to  Nanna's  room,  and  sang  with  her 
and  the  children  for  an  hour.  Have  thought  and  prayed 
much  for  M.  to-day.  Would  that  I  had  more  grace.  I 
do  not  find  Jesus  as  precious  as  I  would  like  Him  to  be; 
nor  have  I  that  pleasure  in  prayer  which  I  would  desire. 

0  Lord,  why  hidest   Thou  Thyself?      Why  dost  thou 
any  longer  tarry?      Come,  come   quickly!     Warm  and 
invigorate  my  cold  and  deadened  soul.     Even  this  night 
lead  me  nearer  to  Thyself  than  I  have  ever  been  before. 
Thou,  O  Christ,  art  all  I  want.     Thou  alone  canst  satisfy 
the  cravings  of  my  soul.     Come  and  dwell  supremely  in 
my  heart,  driving  sin  and  sense  for  ever  from  it,  and 
making  it  Thine  own    dwelling-place.     I   feel  my  own 
weakness.     Often  have  I  resolved  to  do  good  in  my  own 
strength,  and  as  often  have  utterly  failed.     Now  I  cast 
myself  upon  Thee,  and  upon  Thy  promises.     Save  me,  for 

1  trust  in  Thee.     Elevate  and  sanctify  all  my  thoughts 
and  affections.     Cause   my  heart  to  go  out  in  love  to 
Thee  and  my  fellow-men.     Quicken  alf  my  energies,  and 
make  me  to  labour,  so  that  when  I  come  to  die  my  re- 
gret shall  not  be  that  I  had  not  done  as  much  as  I  could. 

"  I  travel  through  a  desert,  drear  and  wild  ; 

Yet  is  my  heart  with  such  sweet  thoughts  beguiled, 
Of  Him  on  whom  I  lean,  my  strength,  my  stay, 
I  can  forget  the  sorrows  of  the  way." 


1 58  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1860. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  16. — Last  evening  heard  Gough.  He 
has  lost  none  of  his  magic  power,  but  thrilled  us  all,  as  of 
yore.  Received  this  morning  my  consignment  of  Ben- 
net  and  Adams'  linens.  Now  is  my  chance  to  start,  and 
make  myself  a  name.  I  pray  God  that  I  may  never, 
either  by  word,  equivocation,  or  mental  reservation,  in 
order  to  make  a  sale,  swerve  in  the  slightest  from  the 
truth;  never  sacrifice  integrity  to  the  "  almighty  dollar;" 
but  so  act  as  that  I  shall  have  the  perfect  confidence  of 
all  with  whom  I  have  to  do ;  never  be  so  wrapped  up  in 
business  as  to  forget  the  interests  of  those  who  have 
higher  claims  upon  me. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  28. — Our  communion.  Rose  at  6.30, 
feeling  very  well.  Mission  school  as  usual.  I  had  feared 
that  being  so  much  worried  about  our  lectures,  *  I  would 
not  enjoy  the  day;  but  as  I  conducted  the  opening  ser- 
vices I  felt  my  spirit  rising.  I  felt  the  love  of  Jesus 
.thrilling  my  heart  anew.  It  continued;  and  when  I  took 
my  seat  in  my  pew,  how  happy  I  felt !  Surely  this  was 
an  answer  to  the  prayer  of  some  one.  Need  I  go  far  to 
find  the  loving  heart  that  I  know  was  pleading  for  me  at 
a  throne  of  heavenly  grace?  Had  a  beautifully  appro- 
priate sermon  by  the  Rev.  A.  M.  S.,  from  2  Sam.  xix.  10. 
Just  what  we  needed  for  the  solemn  occasion.  Went  to 
the  first  table,  and  enjoyed  it  more  than  words  can  tell. 
I  felt  a  greater  leaning  on  Jesus  than  ever  before.  More 
humble  in  my  own  sight. 

Thursday,  Nov.  i. — Rose  at  6.  Not  much  trade 
stirring.  Dined  at  aunt  F.'s.  Read  in  Quatrefage's 
"  Rambles  of  a  Naturalist " — charmed  with  the  book — 

*  A  series  of  lectures  to  be  delivered  by  John  B.  Gough,  under  his  direction, 
for  the  support  of  his  mission  school. 


sEtat.  20.]  DIARY.  159 

talked  a  long  time  with  Nanna  in  the  library.  Evening, 
lather  returned  from  New  York.  Had  a  long  discussion 
on  the  merits  and  demerits  of  High  Church  Episcopacy. 
Wish  my  eyes  would  become  stronger — as  they  are  I  can 
do  nothing  of  any  account.  But  what  I  wish  for  more 
than  any  earthly  or  bodily  blessing  is,  that  I  might  have 
more  of  Jesus,  my  blessed  Saviour.  If  I  could  only  love 
Him  as  he  deserves,  and  as  I  desire,  how  much  happier 
and  more  joyful  I  would  be  !  Almighty  God,  help  me  to 
lean  more  entirely  upon  Thee.  Be  Thou  in  my  waking 
thoughts — continue  ever  uppermost  with  me  throughout 
the  day,  so  that  every  action  may  be  done  as  in  Thy 
sight — not  to  please  men,  but  Thee  ;  and  when  I  lie  down 
to  rest,  be  Thou  with  me  then — help  me  to  review  the 
actions  of  the  closing  day  with  truthful  candour,  to  repent 
of  sin,  and  resolve  to  do  so  no  more.  Be  Thou  ever 
with  me,  and  then  what  need  I  fear !  "  Make  me  to 
understand  the  way  of  Thy  precepts." 

Sabbath,  Nov.  n.- — Rose  at  7.  Cloudy  and  raw. 
School  as  usual.  All  my  teachers  present.  Afternoon, 
there  being  no  preacher  in  the  coloured  church,  I  offi- 
ciated, taking  for  my  text  "Abide  in  Me."  .  My  earnest 
prayer  before  commencing  was  that  I  might  have  utter- 
ance given  me  boldly  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of 
God ;  and  I  believe  my  prayer  was  answered.  The 
attendance  was  very  good,  and  they  listened  eagerly.  I 
felt  that  it  was  not  J  who  spoke,  but  God  speaking  in  me, 
with  an  earnestness  which  I  rarely  have.  Many  came  to 
me  at  the  close  and  thanked  me  for  what  I  had  said.  If 
any  good  has  been  done,  to  Thy  name,  O  God,  be  all 
the  glory ;  for  if  I  have  power  to  speak,  Thou  hast  given 
it  to  me. 

11 


160  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1860. 

Monday,  Nov.  12. — Rose  at  6.  Went  to  Academy  of 
Music  to  arrange  about  tickets.  Very  busy  all  day  about 
this  lecture  business.  I  heartily  wish  it  were  over.  Had 
a  long  talk  with  Mr.  M'A.  as  to  the  practicability  of 
applying  the  microscope  attachment  to  the  magic  lantern. 
After  a  full  discussion  of  the  subject  and  a  consultation 
of  the  best  authorities,  we  jointly  concluded  that  it  would 
be  an  useless  and  expensive  experiment,  in  which,  judging 
from  the  experience  of  others,  we  would  signally  fail. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  13. — Gough  lectured  for  my  mission 
school  in  the  Academy — full  house. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  18. — Raining.  S.  school  as  usual.  Went 
visiting  with  S.  W.  Had  a  long  conversation  with  the 
mother  of  one  of  our  scholars,  and  with  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty persuaded  her  to  come  to  our  meetings.  How  hard 
the  soil  is  in  which  we  have  to  work  ! — greater  the  glory 
to  God  if  good  is  done.  Lord,  help  us  to  work  and  per- 
severe even  unto  the  end.  Make  me  Thine — entirely 
Thine  ;  control  every  thought ;  guide  every  action.  Per- 
haps if  the  struggle  is  hard  I  will  but  love  my  Saviour 
more.  Do  with  me  as  seemeth  best  in  Thy  sight. 
Evening,  went  to  mission  school  prayer-meeting — very 
interesting. 

Thursday,  Nov.  22. — Weather  cold.  Called  with  N. 
on  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  from  Louisville.  Store  as  usual. 
Bought  a  Smee's  Battery,  which  I  might  have  done  with- 
out. Set  to  work  electrotyping.  Left  store  at  5.30.  Went 
to  M.'s — read  to  her  and  A.  for  an  hour  from  Motley's 
"  Dutch  Republic " — deeply  interested.  Eyes  still  in- 
flame every  evening,  and  are  a  source  of  great  trouble. 

Friday,  Nov.  23. — Store  as  usual.  Home  at  3.  Not 
feeling  very  well  did  not  go  back.  Wrote  at  my  Essay 


JEtat.  20.]  DIARY.  161 

on  the  Microscope.  Went  to  M.'s — continued  our  reading 
in  Motley — am  becoming  more  and  more  fascinated. 
Our  subject  this  evening  was  the  meeting  between  Don 
John  of  Austria,  lately  appointed  Governor  of  the  Nether- 
lands, and  the  Commission  of  Nobles  for  the  ratification 
of  the  Treaty  of  Ghent ;  and  also  the  efforts  of  the  crafty 
Don  John  to  win  over  the  high-minded,  noble,  patriotic 
William.  Came  home  at  n,  and  found  that  George  had 
been  taken  sick  about  tea  time  with  a  sore  throat  and 
vomiting.  The  doctor  is  treating  him  for  diphtheria.  How 
sad  it  makes  us  all  feel.  We  earnestly  pray  that  God's 
will  is,  that  he  may  be  spared.  Made  him  a  subject  of 
special  prayer. 

Saturday,  Dec.  15. — Bitter  cold.  Trade  dull.  Money 
market  easier.  Southern  prospects  not  much  better. 
Came  home  at  i.  Talked  with  grandmother.  Read  in 
"  Rambles  of  a  Naturalist "  both  before  and  after  dinner. 
Suffered  much  from  dyspepsia.  Bought  stereoscopic 
views.  Went  to  M.'s.  Played  games  until  9.  Read  in 
"  Dutch  Republic,"  commencing  with  the  rule  of  Alexander 
Farnese  in  the  Netherlands.  Saw  very  brilliant  Aurora 
Borealis.  Very  unwell. 

Oh  for  more  of  Christ ! — Christ  in  every  word — Christ 
in  every  thought — Christ  in  every  action — Christ  all  and 
in  all !  I  do  not  feel  that  I  want  Him,  as  I  should — I 
do  not  feel  his  need  !  Grant  me,  O  God,  to  feel  how 
needy  and  helpless  I  am.  Give  me  a  burning,  increasing 
desire  to  have  Jesus  as  my  friend.  Cleanse  this  wicked 
heart  from  every  sin.  Prepare  me  for  death,  judgment, 
and  eternity  !  Make  me  ready  !  Reign  entirely  in  my 
heart,  and  make  me,  O  God,  for  ever  and  for  ever 
Thine  ! 


162  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

Monday,  Dec.  31. — 11.45  P-M-  1860  is  just  passing 
away — passing  into  eternity,  with  all  its  blessings  and 
privileges,  never  more  to  return,  carrying  with  it  many 
unpardoned  sins — all  gone  to  God's  judgment-seat.  We 
cannot  call  it  back — never  !  never  !  But  we  can  improve 
the  future.  Such  should  be  our  earnest  desire — such  is 
my  prayer  this  night.  I  ask  for  pardon  of  every  sin  and 

every  shortcoming.     I  ask  for  a  rich  blessing  on  • , 

on  all  I  love,  and  on  myself.  May  all  our  sins  be  par- 
doned, for  they  are  many  !  I  ask  a  blessing  on  • ; 

he  needs  it.  O  God,  touch  his  heart  with  the  influence 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit !  Watch  over  him,  and  for  Jesus'  sake 
— Thine  own  Son's  sake — save  his  soul  from  going  down 
to  death.  Have  mercy  upon  him,  and  lead  him  to  Thy- 
self. (I  now  spend  the  remaining  moments  of  this  year 
in  prayer.) 

Saturday,  Feb.  2,  1861. — At  it  again!  What  change- 
able beings  we  are  !  One  day  a  desire  comes  and  burns 
in  our  bosoms  that  it  may  be  fulfilled ;  another,  and  it  is 
gone,  or  has  become  of  little  or  no  interest.  So  have  I 
been  on  the  Diary  question,  and  so  will  (I  fear)  ever  be. 
The  fever  has  now  come, — let  me  make  the  best  of  it. 
Rose  this  morning  at  7.30,  feeling  much  better  than  I 
have  for  a  week  past,  owing  to  a  severe  cold  and  bilious 
attack.  Went  with  Rev.  Mr.  Fisch  to  call  on  Drs. 
Brainerd,  Boardman,  and  Jones — found  all  at  home,  and 
spent  a  few  moments  very  pleasantly  with  each.  Dr. 
Brainerd  showed  us  the  Diary  of  the  celebrated  David 
Brainerd,  missionary  to  the  Indians.  It  contained  his 
religious  experience,  and  it  was  delightful  to  look  at  the 
records  of  God's  dealings  with  so  great  and  good  a  man. 


A! tat.  20.]  DIARY.  %  163 

Sabbath,  Feb.  3. — Weather  mild  and  cloudy.  Rose 
at  7.  Afternoon  school  rather  noisy :  expelled  a  very 
bad  boy.  Not  feeling  very  strong,  did  not  visit. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  10. — Suffering  much  from  my  cold. 
Morning  school  as  usual :  received  four  new  scholars,  all 
girls.  Went  to  church  as  usual,  but  feeling  quite  sick, 
was  obliged  to  come  home.  Took  medicine,  and  dozed 
until  dinner  time.  Have  thought  much  of  M.  to-day. 
My  earnest  prayer  for  both  of  us  is  that  we  may  grow 
more  in  Christ.  We  are  growing  in  years,  and  must  be 
advancing  in  either  sin  or  godliness.  I  am  often  led  to 
despair  of  myself ;  I  am  such  a  wanderer — such  a  sinner. 
Often  when  I  kneel  down  to  pray,  I  cannot  fix  my 
thoughts  upon  God — I  cannot  pour  out  my  soul  to  Him 
as  I  would  desire.  So  it  goes  on  !  Oh  that  I  knew 
more  of  Christ- — that  I  felt  more  my  heavenly  Father's 
love  !  I  am  such  a  weakling  in  grace.  I  know  so  little 
of  Jesus  and  His  precious  love  to  poor  dying  sinners  like 
me.  Yet  withal  I  cannot  but  believe  that  I  am  one  of 
His  children.  From  what  I  have  tasted  of  God  and  of 
His  precious  grace — from  the  joy  that  I  have  felt  when 
engaged  in  the  ordinances  of  His  house,  and  from  the 
sweet  hours  of  communion  in  prayer  which  I  have  en- 
joyed, I  cannot  but  believe  that  I  am  one  of  God's  own 
children ;  and  though  He  may  hide  His  face  from  me 
for  a  while,  yet  He  will -not  cast  me  off  for  ever. 

Sabbath,  April  21. — Rose  at  6.30.  Weather  cloudy, 
but  afterwards  a  lovely,  clear  day.  To-day  is  preparation 
Sabbath,  but  the  doctor  has  positively  forbidden  my 
going  to  church.  How  hard  it  is  to  be  deprived  of  the 
ordinances  of  God's  house  !  I  long  to  return  to  my 
Sabbath  school,  and  resume  my  labours.  This  is  a  severe 


164  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

lesson,  and  I  most  earnestly  pray  that  to  the  fullest 
extent  it  may  be  blessed  and  sanctified  to  me.  Dressed 
and  walked  to  M.'s,  arriving  just  before  they  returned 
from  church :  had  a  delightful  chat  with  her  before  dinner. 
Talked  with  Miss  L.  until  church  time,  and  then  read  in 
a  most  interesting  and  instructive  book,  entitled  "  Success 
in  Life,"  by  Dr.  Tweedie.  My  book  was  so  interesting, 
that  before  I  knew  it  the  hours  had  slipped  by,  and  the 
family  had  returned  from  church.  After  a  few  moments' 
conversation,  started  for  home  with  M.,  and  had  a  de- 
lightful walk  together. 

In  reading  that  book  this  afternoon,  how  much  I  felt 
the  power  of  prayer  !  If  I  could  only  pray  as  I  want  to  ; 
but  I  cannot.  My  thoughts  fly  from  me  when  they 
should  stay :  I  cannot  fix  my  mind,  and  I  even  forget 
what  I  am  saying.  How  long  shall  these  things  be  ?  "  Oh, 
that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  Him,  that  I  might  come 
even  unto  His  seat !  then  would  I  order  my  cause  before 
Him  :  I  would  fill  my  mouth  with  arguments."  So  do  I 
cry,  as  did  Job.  He  found  Him.  Why  shall  not  1 1 

Monday,  April 22. — Rose  at  6.30.  Read  with  interest 
and  faithfully  the  morning  papers,  though  they  contain 
but  little  news.  Had  a  long  talk  with  the  doctor  on  our 
government.  We  both  fully  agreed  in  the  centralization 
of  power,  and  reduction  of  the  right  of  suffrage — introduc- 
ing property  qualification. 

Wednesday,  April  24. — This  afternoon  read  in  the 
Life  of  Captain  Hodson,  of  Hodson's  Horse — a  charm- 
ing biography  of  a  Christian,  and  a  gallant,  noble- hearted 
soldier.  Had  a  talk  with  the  doctor. 

Poor  me !  If  I  were  only  better  than  I  am.  If  I  could 
only  accomplish  half  what  I  desire.  I  sometimes  feel 


.  20.]  DIARY.  165 

that  I  will  never  do  much  good  in  the  world;  yet  I  ever 
hear  a  voice  within  me  saying,  "  Persevere !  press  on!  the 
end  is  not  yet."  If  I  could  only  be  the  Christian  I  want 
to  be,  and  love  to  pray  as  I  desire,  what  a  burden  would 
be  taken  from  my  soul !  Oh  how  I  desire  something 
better,  nobler  than  I  am  myself !  May  I  be  guided  to 
that  course  by  pursuing  which  I  may  accomplish  the 
greatest  amount  of  good.  That  such  guidance  «may  be 
given  me  is  my  most  earnest  prayer. 

Thursday,  April '25. — Fast  day.  Rose  at  6.30.  Finished 
the  Life  of  Captain  Hodson,  and  turned  from  it  feel- 
ing I  had  learned  something.  How  these 

"  Lives  of  great  men  all  remind  us 
We  can  make  our  lives  sublime." 

They  show  of  what  human  nature  is  capable,  and  what 
may  be  done  when  the  energies  are  properly  governed 
and  controlled. 

Sabbath,  April  28. — To-day  is  our  communion  Sab- 
bath. Read  in  the  "  Well  in  the  Valley,"  by  Dr.  Smyth — 
a  very  interesting  and  instructive  work,  well  calculated  to 
awaken  us  to  the  solemn  responsibility  resting  upon  us 
as  immortal  and  intelligent  beings.  At  dinner  time  it 
began  to  rain,  and  I  was  deprived  of  the  privilege  of  the 
communion.  After  dinner,  slept:  suffered  much  from 
pains  in  my  side  and  breast,  and  from  oppressive  breath- 
ing. Dr.  Wylie  and  Mr.  Herron  came  to  tea — had  a 
long  talk  with  them. 

Sabbath,  May  5. — Rose  at  7.  Read  J ohn  xviii.  Read 
Dr.  Scoresby's  letter  to  his  sister  on  the  subject  of  reli- 
gion. It  is  one  of  the  most  concise,  comprehensive,  and 
beautifully  expressed  letters  I  ever  read.  Every  word 


166  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

comes  from  the  writer's  heart,  and  much,  if  not  all,  is 
the  result  of  his  own  personal  experience.  Written  as 
it  is  with  all  the  tenderness  and  love  of  a  brother  and  a 
Christian,  it  cannot  fail  to  impress  every  one  who  reads 
it  with  a  right  motive. 

In  looking  over  the  past  week,  I  find  that,  as  ever,  I 
have  much  to  be  thankful  for.  My  health  has  been 
greatly. improved,  and  I  have  been  blessed  with  precious 
seasons  of  prayer.  If  I  only  had  more  faith :  could  I 
but  trust  Christ  more  and  myself  less :  ah !  this  faith  is 
what  I  need;  here  is  my  stumbling-block — want  of  pro- 
per confidence  in  God.  I  do  not  keep  Christ  promi- 
nently before  my  mind :  I  forget  that  it  is  only  through 
Him  I  can  approach  the  Father;  only  by  trusting  entirely 
in  Him  that  I  can  attain  unto  eternal  life.  I  can  say 
with  the  Psalmist,  "My soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust."  How 
much  I  need  the  reviving,  quickening  influence  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may  be  led  in  the  way  everlasting ! 

I  trust  that  M.  finds  great  delight  in  calling  upon  God. 
It  is  to  me  such  a  source  of  inexpressible  happiness  to 
think  that  she  has  a  hope  beyond  this  world.  I  never 
can  believe  that  they  who  live  only  for  the  present  life, 
and  who  have  no  abiding  hope  for  the  world  to  come, 
can  b'e  as  happy  as  they  whose  confidence  is  fixed  on 
God.  True,  they  may  love  as  well  as  sinful  hearts  can 
love,  but  there  is  a  source  of  happiness  which  they  know 
not  of — a  fountain  of  living,  purest  love,  from  whence 
they  cannot  draw.  The  love  of  Christian  hearts  increases 
with  their  love  to  Christ:  as  grows  and  increases  their 
love  to  their  Saviour,  so  does  their  affection  for  one 
another  deepen  and  strengthen.  This  is  the  inex- 
haustible source  of  the  Christian's  love,  from  whence  it 


JEtat.  21.]  DIARY.  167 

ever  draws,  and  nourished  by  which  it  increases  and  goes 
on  from  strength  to  strength,  until  at  last  it  arrives  at  its 
perfect  fulness  in  the  presence  of  Him  who  is  the  author 
of  this  greatest  of  earthly  blessings. 

At  11.30  went  to  M.'s.  Soon  after,  they  returned  from 
church.  Went  to  my  mission  school,  from  which  I  have 
now  been  absent  three  months.  All,  both  teachers  and 
scholars,  welcomed  me  back  most  heartily.  Heard  an 
excellent  sermon  from  Mr.  Barnes,  containing  much  food 
for  thought. 

[There  is  no  entry  in  William's  Diary  until  the  i;th 
November,  and  instead  of  writing  up  his  Diary,  he  kept, 
during  his  six  months'  absence,  a  full  journal  for  the  use 
of  his  family,  from  which  the  following  are  extracts : — ] 

Aug.  10,  1861. — My  twenty-first  birth-day.  In  company 
with  Mr.  T.  N.  I  left  Edinburgh  at  10  o'clock  en  route  for 
Arran.  The  morning  was  clear  and  beautiful.  WTe  arrived 
in  Glasgow  at  11.30,  and  at  2  went  on  board  the  steamer 
Juno,  bound  for  Lamlash  Bay,  Arran.  As  we  passed 
down  the  narrow  Clyde  we  met  many  large  vessels  inward- 
bound,  and  at  the  moorings  the  Scotia,  preparing  for  sea. 
Soon  the  high  crag  of  Dumbarton,  upon  which  Dumbarton 
Castle  is  built,  came  in  sight;  and  then  having  passed 
Greenock,  the  birth-place  of  James  Watt,  we  were  fairly 
out  on  the  Firth  of  Clyde.  And  now  what  a  change  came 
over  the  scene ! — the  sky  became  obscured  ;  the  waters 
which  an  hour  or  so  before  were  calm  and  smooth,  were 
crested  with  foam;  and  the  rain  and  sleet  came  down  in 
torrents :  the  consequence  of  which  was,  considerable  un- 
easiness was  felt  by  many  of  our  passengers,  and  sundry 


168  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

stone  China  basins  were  in  constant  demand.  After  pass- 
ing the  Cumbraes  we  headed  across  the  Firth  for  Arran. 
Soon  a  thick  mist  gathered  round  us — the  storm  re- 
doubled its  fury;  but  we  were  not  to  be  put  back.  Like 
"  a  thing  of  life,"  our  little  steamer  cut  through  the  waves, 
and  soon  we  were  under  the  lee  of  the  mountain  Goat- 
fell.  Passing  Brodick  Castle,  we  were  soon  at  our  anchor- 
age in  Lamlash  Bay.  The  wind  was  blowing  such  a  gale 
that  our  steamer  could  not  land,  and  we  were  compelled 
to  go  ashore  in  small  boats.  Of  course  we  were  drenched. 
We  found  Mrs.  N.  expecting  us,  with  a  nice  warm  .tea 
prepared. 

Aug.  n,  SaWaf/i.—When.  I  arose  it  was  raining  in 
torrents.  About  church  time  it  moderated,  and  I  started 
off  with  Mr.  N.  to  the  Free  Church  of  Invercloy,  3  miles 
distant.  The  preacher  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Macdonald  of 
Leith.  His  text  was  2nd  Peter  i.  10.  A  more  earnest, 
simple,  faithful  discourse  I  have  rarely  ever  heard. 
After  church  we  walked  back  to  Lamlash,  over  a  hill 
covered  with  most  beautiful  ferns. 

Aug.  12. — When  I  arose  this  morning  it  was  rain- 
ing so  heavily  that  even  the  fences  were  quite  invisible. 
Suddenly,  however,  the  rain  ceased,  the  clouds  rolled  away, 
and  a  more  beautiful  day  was  never  seen.  After  break- 
fast we  took  a  boat  and  sailed  to  Whiting  Bay,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  4  miles.  Here  we  left  our  boat  and 
walked  about  2  miles  up  a  beautiful  glen  called  Glen 
Ashdale,  to  see  a  fine  waterfall.  We  had  a  delightful 
walk :  the  hills  were  covered  with  the  rich  purple  heather, 
now  in  full  bloom,  while  on  the  banks  of  the  little  streams 
ferns  were  growing  luxuriantly.  After  dinner  we  all  sailed 
about  4  miles  to  the  fishing  ground.  Here  we  caught 


DIARY.  169 

many  fine  large  cod,  and  in  an  hour  had  as  many  fish  as 
we  could  conveniently  carry  home.  The  sun  was  just 
setting  as  we  left  our  boat,  the  long  mountain  shadows 
were  stealing  across  the  bay,  while  far  beyond  the  hills 
the  pale  beams  of  the  new  moon  were  playing  upon  the 
water.  Thus  ended  our  first  day  in  Arran. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  13. — Another  beautiful  day.  Went 
out  to  sail  with  Mr.  N.  in  his  new  yacht,  which  arrived 
during  the  night  from  the  Forth.  She  is  a  fine  large 
boat,  very  graceful,  and  of  great  speed.  The  wind  was 
blowing  very  fresh,  so  that  we  sped  along  in  gallant  style. 
After  sailing  round  the  bay  all  morning,  we  returned  to 
Lamlash  to  dinner ;  after  which  we  again  took  the  boat, 
having  with  us  Mrs.  and  Miss  N.  It  was  a  lovely  after- 
noon— not  a  cloud  to  be  seen  as  we  sailed  out  of  the 
harbour;  so  clear  was  it  that  we  could  distinctly  see  the 
Ayrshire  coast,  where  a  faint  line  of  smoke  marked  the 
town  of  Burns.  Before  us  lay  Bute,  while  in  the  back- 
ground were  the  hills  of  Argyleshire,  among  which 
towered  Ben  Lomond.  As  we  cleared  the  harbour  the 
wind  freshened,  and  often  we  were  covered  with  spray. 
We  now  entered  Brodick  Bay,  and  after  a  little  tacking 
succeeded  in  landing  on  a  ledge  of  rocks.  Here  we  each 
one  betook  ourselves  to  our  favourite  studies,  the  ladies 
to  the  ferns  and  mosses,  while  I  wandered  amongst  the 
rocks  in  search  of  sea-weed  and  marine  animals.  Here, 
in  little  pools  clear  as  crystal,  covered  in  by  dark  damp 
weed,  I  found  many  beautiful  plumose  anemones,  their 
delicate  thread-like  tentacles  waving  to  and  fro  with  the 
slightest  ripple.  Here,  on  a  barren  rock,  where  man 
seldom  comes  unless  to  study  nature,  nourished  by  each 
flowing  tide,  these  exquisitely  beautiful  and  delicate 


170  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.        [1861. 

creatures  exist  and  perish.   As  I  looked  at  them  I  thought 
of  the  words  of  the  poet; — 

"  Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene 
The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear." 

The  rapidly  setting  sun  put  an  end  to  our  soliloquy, 
and  warned  us  to  hurry  back  to  our  boat.  The  wind 
had  now  quite  died  away,  so  that  we  were  nearly  two 
hours  in  reaching  the  entrance  to  Lamlash  Bay.  We 
were  now  compelled  to  take  to  our  oars,  and  after  a  long 
tedious  pull  got  back  to  the  moorings  about  midnight. 
As  we  entered  the  bay  we  noticed  how  beautiful  the 
phosphorescence  of  the  water  was.  At  each  dip  of  the 
oar  the  water  fell  from  it  like  silver  rain,  while  the  bow 
flashed  and  sparkled  as  though  studded  with  dia- 
monds. 

Let  me  now  say  a  word  or  two  in  regard  to  Arran.  It 
lies  in  the  Firth  of  Clyde,  having  on  one  side  the  Mull 
of  Galloway  and  on  the  other  the  Ayrshire  coast.  It  is 
about  80  miles  from  Glasgow.  Its  extreme  length  is 
2o|  miles,  its  breadth  6|.  The  north  end  of  the  island 
is  a  huge  mass  of  rugged,  lofty  mountains,  the  highest  of 
which  is  Goatfell  (height  2,875  feet.)  The  southern  end 
is  a  gently  rolling  country.  Thus  the  island  affords  every 
grade  and  description  of  scenery,  from  the  gentle  to  the 
sublime.  The  rocks  are  a  complete  epitome  of  the 
geology  of  Britain.  There  is  no  such  collection  of  ferns  in 
the  three  kingdoms.  Insects  are  abundant,  while  the  shells, 
sea-weed,  and  marine  animals  are  of  the  rarest  and  most 
beautiful  kinds.  All  these  combine  to  render  Arran  by 
far  the  most  interesting  spot  in  the  British  Isles  to  all 
lovers  of  nature,  no  matter  what  be  the  form.  It  belongs 


sEtat.  21.]  DIARY.  171 

to  the  Duke  of  Hamilton,  who  has  erected  a  fine  castle 
on  the  eastern  shore. 

Thursday,  Aug.  15. — A  clear,  beautiful  morning.  About 
ti,  Miss  N.,  her  brother,  and  myself  set  sail  for  King's 
Cross  Point,  to  gather  ferns  and  sea-weed.  The  wind  was 
very  gusty,  so  that  often  our  boat  heeled  over  to  the  water's 
edge.  In  about  twenty  minutes  we  reached  the  rocky 
ledge  which  served  us  as  a  wharf,  and  soon  were  on  our 
knees  peering  into  the  little  pools  in  search  of  sea-weed 
and  anemones.  Besides  the  ordinary  red  anemone,  which 
is  to  be  found  here  in  great  perfection,  we  found  also  a 
very  beautiful  delicate  brown  variety,  which  is  rather  rare 
in  this  locality.  Having  dislodged  it  without  any  material 
injury,  it  was  transferred  to  our  vasculum,  together  with 
a  very  lively  little  prawn,  who  by  his  own  activity  had 
made  himself  our  prisoner.  Slowly  we  walked  along  the 
beach,  peering  into  every  little  pool,  and  carefully  turning 
over  every  mass  of  weed  in  search  of  something  new  and 
rare.  At  last  we  reached  King's  Cross  Point,  a  cluster  of 
rocks  jutting  out  into  the  sea,  famous  as  the  place  from 
which  Bruce  set  forth  in  his  memorable  expedition  to 
Scotland.  On  these  rocks  we  found  very  beautiful  yellow 
lichens,  specimens  of  which  we  cut  from  the  rocks  "  In 
Memoriam."  After  damaging  our  understandings  slightly 
on  the  slippery  rocks,  we  returned  to  our  boat,  and  the 
wind  having  moderated,  concluded  to  try  dredging.  So 
sailing  over  to  Holy  Island,  the  sole  occupant  of  which 
is  Dr.  Carpenter,  the  great  physiologist,  we  borrowed 
from  his  son  his  dredge,  and  fastening  it  with  our  anchor 
rope,  heaved  it  overboard.  After  letting  it  drag  for  a 
few  moments,  we  began  to  haul.  It  was  one  thing  to  let 
it  down,  but  quite  another  to  pull  it  up  ; — so  we  found. 


172  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

Our  first  haul  was  a  very  rich  one,  including  several 
varieties  of  star  fishes,  a  fine  sea  urchin,  hermit  crabs, 
and  lovely  anemones.  Down  goes  the  dredge  again,  and 
away  we  sail.  This  haul  brought  us  a  beautiful  goni- 
aster,  as  well  as  a  very  fine  trochus  and  many  beauti- 
ful shells.  After  three  or  four  hauls  we  sailed  home  to 
dinner. 

After  dinner  we  started  for  a  drive  to  Brodick,  thence 
to  walk  up  Glen  Rosa.  Hardly  had  we  got  a  mile  from 
home  when  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents,  and  as  we 
were  in  an  open  car  we  were  drenched.  Nothing  daunted, 
however,  we  pushed  on,  and  in  an  hour  were  at  the 
mouth  of  the  glen.  Here  we  left  our  car,  and  consoling 
ourselves  with  the  fact  that  we  were  about  as  wet  as  we 
could  be,  started.  When  we  had  gone  about  a  mile 
another  storm  broke  upon  us,  and  indeed  it  was  a  ludi- 
crous sight  to  see  our  party  crouched  here  and  there 
under  the  rocks  seeking  shelter.  After  being  prisoners 
for  about  half  an  hour,  the  storm  cleared  away,  and  we 
pressed  on  to  a  beautiful  waterfall  called  the  Rocky 
Burn.  Here  we  remained  for  a  while  to  see  if  we  could 
be  favoured  with  a  view  of  the  summit  of  Goatfell,  now 
hidden  amongst  the  clouds.  Strange  to  say,  the  patience 
of  our  ladies  gave  out  first,  and  they  left  us.  In  a  few 
moments  the  misty  curtain  lifted,  but  for  a  little,  and  the 
lofty  summit  of  the  mountain  stood  out  in  bold  relief 
against  the  sky.  After  another  drenching  we  reached 
Lamlash  about  9  P.M.,  and  putting  on  dry  clothes,  we 
were  soon  busy  around  a  cheerful  fire  arranging  our 
ferns. 

Saturday,  Aug.  17. — And  still  another  cloudy,  cheerless 
day.  I  am  told  that  August  is  the  most  delightful  month 


SEtat.  21.]  DIARY.  173 

in  the  year  here — is  it  1  I  wonder  what  the  worst  is  like, 
if  the  best  is  far  behind  our  worst.  After  various  delays 
and  sundry  detentions,  we  took  a  small  row-boat  and 
pulled  over  to  Holy  Island.  Here  we  landed  to  visit  St. 
Molio's  cave.  St.  Molio  was  the  friend  and  companion 
of  the  pious  Columba,  and  at  the  instigation  of  the  latter 
selected  this  island  as  the  scene  of  his  labours.  He  was 
one  of  the  Culdees  (corruption  Of  Cultores  Dei  =  wor- 
shippers of  God),  and  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  1 20 
years.  He  is  buried  at  Strickam,  and  his  tomb  is  still  to 
be  seen.  The  cave  is  about  25  feet  above  the  water  level, 
and  has  evidently  been  worn  out  by  the  action  of  the 
water.  On  the  walls  are  several  Runic  inscriptions,  which 
have  a  very  antique  appearance.  At  the  mouth  of  the 
cave  is  a  spring  of  most  delicious  water,  where  no  doubt 
often  the  old  man  refreshed  himself  during  his  labours. 
Above  the  cave  are  some  very  fine  basaltic  columns,  in 
the  clefts  of  which  are  many  fine  fenis.  On  our  way 
back  to  the  boat,  we  came  across  a  good  sized  adder. 
They  are  very  common  in  this  island,  and  are  often 
found  three  feet  long. 

After  dinner,  in  company  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Macdonald 
we  rowed  to  the  fishing  ground,  about  2  miles  distant 
from  Lamlash.  Here  we  anchored  for  about  two  hours. 
Our  success  was  poor ; — owing  to  the  weakness  of  our 
lines  the  finest  fish  got  away.  After  pulling  home  again, 
we  found  ourselves  very  much  fatigued,  having  rowed  a 
heavy  boat,  well  filled,  about  5  miles  against  a  very 
heavy  sea. 

Sabbath,  Aug.  18. — On  looking  out  this  morning  I 
found  a  fearful  storm  had  been  raging  all  night,  and  as 
yet  had  not  abated.  The  bay  was  filled  with  ships  which 


174  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [i86i. 

had  sought  shelter  during  the  night;  and  so  great  was  the 
fury  of  the  storm,  that  the  bay,  usually  so  calm  and 
peaceful,  was  so  lashed  into  spray  as  to  render  the  vessels 
at  times  quite  invisible.  Of  course  we  could  not  go  to 
church,  but  drew  on  Mr.  N.'s  large  library  for  a  good 
store  of  reading. 

Motiday,  Aug.  19. — To  use  a  very  classical  expression, 
day  broke  very  pluvial.  The  most  of  the  morning  was 
spent  in  writing,  and  reading  the  news  from  America  just 
come  to  hand  per  Arabia.  After  an  early  dinner,  and  in 
the  midst  of  a  pouring  rain,  we  took  the  steamer  for 
Corrie,  distant  about  9  miles,  to  ascend  Glen  Sannox, 
famous  as  one  of  the  wildest  glens  in  all  Scotland.  Our 
party  consisted  of  about  twenty,  and  despite  the  storm,  was 
a  very  merry  one.  When  we  reached  Corrie  it  was  still 
pouring,  and  we  were  obliged  to  land  in  a  small  boat. 
One  of  our  party  fainted,  so  much  did  the  little  skiff  toss 
up  and  down  upon  the  waves.  Our  boatmen  were  very 
skilful,  and  though  it  appeared  at  one  time  as  though  we 
would  surely  be  dashed  upon  the  rocks,  the  next  moment 
we  shot  into  a  little  cove,  just  wide  enough  to  admit  our 
boat,  and  were  washed  high  and  dry  upon  the  beach. 
After  getting  a  conveyance  for  the  ladies,  we  gentlemen 
started  to  walk  to  the  mouth  of  the  glen.  Along  the 
road  were  many  exposures  of  the  rock,  peculiarly  in- 
teresting to  the  geologist:  on  one  side  the  ferns  were 
growing  in  rich  profusion,  while  on  the  other,  rocks  were 
strewn  with  beautiful  sea-weed.  A  walk  of  2  miles,  most 
of  it  through  a  driving  rain,  when  umbrellas  were  quite 
useless,  brought  us  to  the  little  footpath  leading  up  the 
glen.  Our  attention  was  first  called  to  the  little  burial- 
ground  :  it  is  of  great  antiquity,  and  is  said  to  contain  the 


Mtat.  21.]  DIARY.  175 

remains  of  St.  Molio,  of  whom  I  have  before  spoken. 
On  a  hook  set  in  a  slab  of  stone  beside  the  gate  hung 
the  key,  and  above  it  carved  the  request,  "  Please  lock 
the  gate;" — certainly  showing  that  the  people  have  great 
confidence  in  one  another.  And,  in  fact,  I  have  noticed 
the  people  here,  how  kind  they  are  to  one  another. 
Crime  is  almost  unknown,  and  no  one  seems  to  think  it 
any  trouble  to  assist  his  neighbour,  no  matter  to  how 
much  trouble  he  may  have  to  put  himself  in  order  to  do 
it.  Many  of  them,  especially  in  the  interior,  live  in  a 
very  primitive  condition,  and  are  quite  ignorant  of  what 
we  would  call  the  ordinary  comforts  of  life.  But  while  I 
am  peering  over  this  old  wall,  the  rest  of  the  party,  not 
having  very  antiquarian  tastes,  are  almost  out  of  sight;  so 
I  must  hurry  on.  We  soon  stumble  upon  the  remains  of 
an  old  mill  used  for  grinding  the  sulphate  of  barytes. 
found  in  the  valley.  It  is  used  as  a  cheap  substitute  for 
white  lead  in  paint.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  further 
on,  we  came  to  the  mine  from  which  the  barytes  is  taken 
— and  here  we  were  obliged  to  stop,  as  the  rest  of  the 
way  was  knee  deep-  in  water,  owing  to  the  recent  un- 
ceasing rains.  What  a  picture  of  wild  solitude  !  what 
sublime  simplicity !  as  though  daring  man's  ruthless  hand 
to  mar  its  primeval  grandeur.  On  our  right  rose  the 
rugged,  inaccessible  sides  of  Caim-na-Cailleach ;  while  like 
a  giant  keeper  Kir  Vohr  sat  enthroned  in  awful  silence 
at  the  head  of  the  glen,  and  overtopped  all  the  lichen- 
covered  summit  of  Goatfell.  After  gazing  for  a  long 
time  on  this  imposing  scene,  and  being  favoured  with  the 
sight  of  the  gathering  and  bursting  of  a  heavy  storm  on 
the  mountain-top,  we  hastened  back  to  Corrie,  where  we 
arrived  just  in  time  to  be  re-drenched  on  our  way  out  to 

12 


176  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

the  steamer.  We  reached  Lamlash  in  time  for  tea,  and 
after  changing  our  clothing  we  all  adjourned  to  Mr. 
Stevenson's,  where  we  spent  the  evening. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  20. — Pluvial  again.  Toward  n  the 
sky  began  to  break,  and  tempted  us  away  to  sail  in  the 
boat.  Our  party  consisted  of  four,  besides  ourselves 
there  being  the  Rev.  Mr.  G.  (U.P.),  from  Liverpool. 
The  breeze  was  stiff,  and  before  many  minutes  we  were 
at  King's  Cross  Point,  where  we  landed;  and  while  some 
of  the  party  indulged  in  a  dip  I  wandered  over  the  rocks 
in  search  of  sea- weed.  Nor  was  I  unsuccessful,  for  in 
less  than  half  an  hour  several  beautiful  specimens  of  sea- 
weed and  zoophytes  found  their  way  into  my  impromptu 
vasculum.  When  in  the  middle  of  the  bay,  on  our  return 
home,  a  fearful  storm  of  rain  and  wind  caught  us.  Our 
little  skiff  rushed  through  the  water  at  a  fearful  rate,  her 
bulwarks  at  times  under  water ;  and  had  I  not  had  great 
confidence  in  Mr.  N.  and  his  boatman,  I  would  have 
been  very  much  alarmed.  The  storm  soon  passed  away, 
and  when  we  reached  our  moorings  every  vestige  of  it 
had  disappeared — the  sky  was  clear  and  the  water  scarcely 
disturbed  by  a  ripple. 

In  the  afternoon  we  sailed  to  the  fishing  ground,  and 
were  very  fortunate,  catching  in  about  an  hour  a  large 
silver  haddock,  several  sole  and  fine  flounders,  and  sundry 
cod.  Hardly  had  the  sun  set,  when,  like  a  shield  of 
burnished  silver,  the  moon  rose  over  the  top  of  Holy 
Island,  and  now  as  I  write  its  pale  beams  are  dancing 
merrily  on  the  water,  and  the  gentle  breeze  is  sighing 
among  the  trees,  and  the  stars  are  one  by  one  beginning 
to  peep  out  over  the  Ayrshire  hills. 

Friday,  Aug.  23. — The  same  old  entry,  a  wet  day.    As 


JEtat.  21.]  DIAR  Y,  177 

there  were  some  signs  of  clearing,  we  took  the  steamer 
after  dinner,  and  sailed  to  Brodick ;  from  which  place  we 
walked  home  over  the  hills.  The  hills  of  Arran  are  all 
covered  with  a  most  luxuriant  growth  of  heather,  now  in 
its  prime;  and  I  know  of  no  more  beautiful  sight  to  gaze 
upon  than  a  hill-side  clad  with  -this  rich  purple,  in  striking 
contrast  to  the  deep  green  underneath.  After  tea  went 
out  in  the  bay  to  try  fly-fishing,  and  would  have  had  good 
sport  had  not  the  storm  driven  us  home. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  27. — Since  my  last  entry  nothing  has 
occurred  worthy  of  mention.  The  weather  has  as  usual 
been  wet,  only  more  so,  and  we  have  been  confined  to 
the  house,  except  when,  unmindful  of  rain,  we  have  gone 
along  the  shore  in  search  of  sea-weed,  or  out  in  the  boat 
fishing ;  in  both  of  which  pursuits  our  success  has  been 
various.  This  morning  there  were  some  signs  of  clearing 
.  up,  so  we  went  out  sailing,  and  in  the  afternoon  took  to 
fishing  again.  Although  our  success  was  poor,  we  caught 
one  fish  for  which  I  would  willingly  have  given  all  the 
rest — not  on  the  score  of  its  edibility,  but  in  order  to  see 
that  of  which  I  had  read  so  much  and  such  varied 
accounts.  After  we  had  been  on  the  fishing  ground 
about  an  hour,  Mr.  N.  felt  something  tugging  very  hard 
at  his  line.  As  it  neared  the  surface,  water  was  squirted 
into  his  face  with  such  violence  as  to  compel  him  to  let 
go  his  line  ; — fortunately  it  was  secured  to  one  of  the  be- 
laying pins,  and  one  of  us  again  drew  the  fish  to  the 
surface.  As  it  came  near  we  could  see  its  eyes  flashing 
like  rubies,  and  we  had  hardly  time  to  draw  back  when 
it  again  squirted  an  inky  substance  (which  is  poisonous) 
all  over  the  surrounding  water  and  into  the  boat.  A  few 
blows  of  the  boat-hook  rendered  it  senseless,  and  we  drew 


178  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.        fiS6i. 

it  up  on  the  gunwale.  It  proved  to  be  a  large  cuttle-fish. 
Though  the  body  was  scarcely  longer  than  one's  fist,  the 
arms  or  feelers  were  at  least  two  feet  long  ;  and  from  the 
manner  in  which  it  flashed  its  wicked  eye,  and  endea- 
voured with  its  long  slimy  arms  to  lay  hold  upon  us,  I 
could  Well  believe  all  that  travellers  have  told  us  of  such 
creatures  in  the  tropical  seas.  It  was,  without  exception, 
the  most  hideous-looking  creature  I  ever  saw,  and  after 
watching  it  for  a  few  moments  to  see  some  of  its  pecu- 
liarities, I  was  glad  to  throw  it  back  into  its  native 
element.  It  is  very  voracious,  and  gets  its  subsistence 
by  pouncing  upon  the  unwary  fish,  biting  a  piece  out  of 
its  back,  and  then  ejecting  this  inky  fluid,  surrounded  by 
which  it  swims  away  from  present  danger,  and  then  re- 
turning finds  its  victim  poisoned. 

Aug.  20. — At  2.30  bade  farewell  to  Arran,  and  started 
in  the  steamer  Spunkie.  We  coasted  along  the  shore  for 
about  10  miles  to  Corrie,  lying  at  the  base  of  Goatfell, 
from  which  point  we  headed  across  the  Firth  to  Bute. 
As  we  receded  from  Arran  the  view  was  veiy  fine,  the 
rugged  hills,  pierced  at  intervals  by  the  deep,  wild  glens, 
presenting  a  scene  not  to  be  witnessed  everywhere.  It 
was  what  an  eminent  professor  of  theology  in  Edinburgh 
would  call  "a  pleasing  object."  This  learned  gentleman. 
Prof.  C.,  has  no  feeling  for  nature,  and  whether  you  call 
his  attention  to  a  roaring  cascade  or  a  little  mountain 
rill,  a  green  hill-side  or  a  rugged  crag,  a  perfect  calm  or 
a  raging  storm,  his  exclamation  invariably  is,  "  A  pleasing 
object."  About  6  o'clock  we  entered  Rothesay  Bay,  and 
having  sent  our  luggage  to  the  hotel,  went  to  dine  with 
a  most  excellent,  good  man,  thfe  Rev.  Mr.  N.,  pastor  of 
the  Cameronian  church  in  Rothesay. 


jEiat.  21.]  DIA  R  Y.  \  79 

Rothesay  is  situated  on  the  island  of  Bute,  about  50 
miles  from  Glasgow.  The  climate  is  very  salubrious,  and 
it  is  much  resorted  to  by  invalids.  On  the  outskirts  of 
the  town  are  the  ruins  of  an  old  castle  once  occupied  by 
the  Kings  of  Scotland.  It  figures  in  history  first  about 
the  year  1225,  passed  by  conquest  into  the  hands  of 
Robert  Bruce  in  1311,  and  was  bestowed  upon  his  grand- 
son, Prince  David,  who  was  styled  the  Duke  of  Rothesay, 
— the  first  dukedom  bestowed  in  Scotland. 

Aug.  29.— Left  Rothesay  at  10  A.M.,  in  the  swift 
steamer  lona.  We  soon  entered  the  narrow  strait  lying 
between.  Bute  and  the  mainland,  called  the  Kyles  of 
Bute.  It  is  a  narrow,  tortuous  passage,  hemmed  in  by 
steep  crags,  whose  bleak  tops  are  covered  by  the  many- 
coloured  lichens.  As  we  entered  the  Kyles,  on  our  left 
was  Loch  Striven,  and  a  little  further  on,  Loch  Riddan, 
famed  for  their  beautiful  scenery.  On  a  little  island  at 
the  mouth  of  Loch  Riddan  may  be  seen  the  ruins  of  an 
old  fortress,  built  in  1685  by  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  when 
he  attempted  the  invasion  of  the  kingdom.  And  now, 
as  we  swing  round  a  narrow  point,  Arran  with  its  lofty 
peaks  comes  in  full  view;  while  further  still  we  see  the 
coast  of  Kintyre,  and  the  ruins  of  Skipness  Castle,  sup- 
posed to  have  been  built  by  the  Danes.  We  are  now 
exposed  to  the  full  swell  of  the  Atlantic,  and  as  the  day 
is  by  no  means  the  calmest,  many  poor  unfortunates  are 
called  upon  to  settle  their  accounts  with  Neptune,  Esq. 
Up  to  this  time  the  day  has  been  beautifully  clear,  but 
now,  just  as  we  are  entering  the  Highlands,  a  famous 
Scotch  mist  sets  in  upon  us,  and  the  scenery  is  totally 
obscured. 

About  i  o'clock  we  reached  Ardrishaig,  where  we  left 


i8o  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.   STUART.  .      [1861. 

our  steamer  and  took  a  canal  boat  for  Crinan 

Shortly  after  leaving  Crinan  the  island  of  lona  comes  in  full 
view,  then  the  island  of  Scarba;  between  which  island 
and  lona  is  the  much-dreaded  whirlpool  of  Corrievreckan. 
Passing  through  the  Sound  of  Luing,  we  come  in  sight 
of  Ben  More  (3,170  feet) — the  highest  mountain  in  Mull. 
We  now  come  to  Easdale,  where  400  men  are  employed 
in  working  the  slate  quarries.     Leaving  Easdale  we  skirt 
along  the  precipitous  shores  of  Seil,  against  which  the 
waves  are  dashing  most  furiously.     This  lasts  but  a  little, 
for  we  are  soon  under  the  lee  of  the  island  of  Kerrera. 
.....  We  reached  Oban  at  7  o'clock,  and  found  most 
excellent  quarters  at  the  Caledonian  Hotel.     Here  the 
proprietor  (of  course  his  name  is  Campbell,  for  all  are 
Campbells  here),  learning  that  I  was  a  Stuart,  took  me 
to  his  room  and  showed  me  the  identical  coat  which 
Prince  Charlie  threw  off  when  he  donned  the  dress  of 
Flora  M'Donald,  and  was  hid  by  her  in  the  cave  on  the 
coast  of  Skye.     There  is  no  doubt  of  the  genuineness  of 
this  relic,  as  it  has  been  in  the  M'Donald  family  ever 
since,  to  which  clan  Mr.  Campbell's  wife  belongs.     Oban 
is  a  beautiful  town,  and  a  great  central  place  for  Highland 
tourists.     Nothing  could  be  more  beautiful  than  its  situa- 
tion.    Climbing  the  hill  back  of  the  town,  a  fine  view  is 
obtained  of  the  surrounding  country.     In  front  are  the 
lofty  hills  of  Mull,  with  the  green  island  of  Lismore  and 
the  ruins  of  Dunstaffnage  and  Dunolly  Castles  at  your 
feet.     The  situation  of  the  latter  is  wildly  beautiful.     Its 
massive  ivy-clad  walls  tell  of  days  when  they  gave  back 
the  echo  from  the  footsteps  of  mighty  chieftains — the 
home  of  a  clan  mighty  and  brave  enough  to  confront  and 
defeat  Robert  the  Bruce.     Dunstaffnage,  a   few  miles 


.  21.]  DIARY.  iSi 

further  on,  is  famed  as  being  once  the  repository  of  the 

Destiny  Stone 

Friday,  Aug.  30. — Rose  at  4.30,  and  at  5.30  took  the 
steamer  for  Ballachulish  on  Loch  Leven,  where  we  would 
take  stage  for  Glencoe.  The  morning  was  cloudy — almost 

as  bad  as  usual As  we  advance,  the  scenery  becomes 

wilder  and  more  picturesque,  until  we  reach  Ballachulish, 
famed  for  its  slate  quarries.  Here  we  leave  the  steamer, 
which  awaits  our  return,  and  take  a  coach  to  Glencoe, 
distant  about  9  miles.  Soon  after  leaving  the  town  the 
rain  came  down  in  torrents,  and  as  our  coach  was  all 
outside  there  was  no  shelter.  However,  we  were  in  for  it. 
For  about  5  miles  we  skirt  along  the  edge  of  the  loch, 
then  turning  inland  around  the  base  of  the  hill  of  Glencoe, 
we  are  soon  hidden  amongst  the  hills.  The  cluster  of 
mountains  which  here  rear  their  rugged  summits  to  the 
sky  have  not  been  inaptly  termed  the  Alps  of  Glencoe, 
for  here  they  have  been  heaped  together  in  wild  confusion, 
and  down  their  barren  sides  a  thousand  mountain  streams 
are  rushing,  mingling  their  roar  with  the  piercing  cry  of 
the  eagle  as  he  soars  away  to  his  eyrie  in  the  Black  Rock, 
in  the  steep  face  of  which,  near  to  the  summit,  is  shown 
a  cave  said  to  have  been  the  hiding-place  of  Ossian. 
Leaving  the  coach  half  way  up  the  pass,  we  walk  to  the 
dividing  ridge.  This  spot  is  called  the  Meeting  of  the 
Waters,  where  three  streams,  one  from  the  top  of  the  glen 
and  the  others  from  the  opposite  mountains,  unite  amid 
the  black  rocks,  and  form  the  Cora  or  Coe,  which  at 
the  foot  of  the  glen  expands  into  a  lake  called  Loch 
Treachtan.  A  little  above  this  are  to  be  seen  the  ruins 
of  the  houses  of  those  who  fell  in  the  fearful  Massacre  of 
Glencoe  in  1692.  This  sad  historic  incident,  coupled 


182  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1861. 

with  the  wild  grandeur  of  the  glen,  renders  it  a  place  of 
peculiar  interest. 

Having  spent  about  an  hour  in  the  glen,  we  returned 
to  our  coach,  and  drove  back  to  the  steamer.  Continu- 
ing our  way  up  Loch  Leven,  we  come  to  Fort  William, 
lying  at  the  foot  of  Ben  Nevis.  Here  we  leave  the  boat, 
and  prepare  to  make  the  ascent  of  the  mountain.  Having 
secured  a  good  guide — who  is,  by-the-by,  a  namesake  of 
my  own,  and  declares  he  never  had  as  much  pleasure  in 
the  thought  of  going  up  the  mountain  as  now  that  he  is 
going  to  take  a  "Stuart" — we  set  off  on  ponies  up 
Glen  Nevis,  from  the  head  of  which  we  begin  to  ascend 
the  mountain.  Glen  Nevis,  through  which  runs  the  river 
of  the  same  name,  is  one  of  the  finest  glens  in  all  Scot- 
land. It  is  entirely  unlike  Glencoe.  The  latter  is  wild, 
bleak,  and  barren,  while  in  the  former  the  hill-sides  are 
covered  with  rich  purple  heather  and  luxuriant  ferns. 
Ben  Nevis  rises  4,404  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and 

it's  a  long  long,  weary  climb For  about  1,700  feet 

our  course  lay  over  heather  and  long  grass.  At  this 
height  we  come  to  a  wild  tarn  called  Loch  Nevis.  Here 
all  vegetation  ceases,  and  a  strange  scene  of  desolation 
presents  itself; — we  meet,  as  it  were,  with  a  new  mountain, 
with  its  huge  porphyritic  rocks  covered  with  lichens  and 
white  reindeer  moss,  looking  as  though  the  refuse  of 
creation  had  been  heaped  and  piled  up  in  wild  confusion. 
We  look  in  vain  for  some  signs  of  vegetable  life,  for  all  is 
barren,  save  where  here  and  there  the  little  Alpine  plant 
puts  forth  its  modest  blossom  between  the  rocks.  At 
last  we  reach  the  top,  after  a  weary  pull  of  four  hours, 
and  sit  down  upon  the  cairn.  To  our  left  is  a  sheer  preci- 
pice of  1,700  feet — all  round  us  desolation  reigns — the 


ALtat.  21.]  DIARY.  183 

rocks  are  covered  with  snow,  and  there  is  not  a  sign  of  life. 
Approaching  darkness  warns  us  to  leave,  and  we  begin 
the  descent,  which,  though  accomplished  in  much  less  time, 
is  as  fatiguing  as  the  ascent,  if  not  more  so.  Weary  and 
worn,  in  the  midst  of  dense  mist  and  heavy  rain  we  reach 
the  base,  and  after  sundry  stumbles  over  rocks  and  into 
creeks,  find  our  ponies  and  reach  the  hotel  at  n  P.M., 
having  been  out  since  2.  The  toil  is  soon  forgotten 
over  a  comfortable  .fire  and  good  supper,  after  which  we 
retired  to  rest. 

Saturday,  Aug.  3 1.—  Rose  at  4.30.  Very  stiff  and  sore 
from  last  night's  exertions.  Went  on  board  the  steamer 
Mountaineer  for  Oban.  Arrived  there  at  8  o'clock,  and 
at  once  went  on  board  the  Pioneer,  bound  for  Staffa  and 
lona.  Our  party  was  a  very  large  one,  consisting  princi- 
pally of  a  company  of  South  Englishers,  who  had  come  in 
delaines  and  dress  coats  to  "do"  the  Highlands.  They 
were  what  might  be  called  a  queer  lot,  and  we  who  had 
been  together  for  some  days  past  had  plenty  of  sport. 
After  passing  out  of  the  Sound  of  Kerrera,  we  coasted 
along  the  southern  shore  of  Mull.  Here  we  met  the  un- 
broken swell  of  the  Atlantic  as  it  comes  rolling  in  from 
the  far  off  coasts  of  America.  Our  vessel  of  course  be- 
gan to  roll,  and  many  of  the  fair  damsels  were  becoming 
quite  uncomfortable.  Descending  to  the  cabin,  the  scene 
was  to  a  well  person  ludicrous  in  the  extreme.  The  poor 
unfortunates  were  strewn  about  the  floor  in  every  im- 
aginable position,  each  one  holding  on  firmly  to  his 
basin,  lest  some  one  should  snatch  it  away.  As  I  was 
returning  towards  the  stairs,  I  heard  a  faint  voice  calling 
me  from  behind  the  door.  Looking  round,  I  saw  a  poor 
unprotected  creature,  evidently  very  sick.  "  Pray,  sir,  will 


184  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1861. 

you  call  the  steward?"  she  said,  in  a  very  pleading  voice. 
— "  Steward,  you  are  wanted,"  says  I. — "  Can't  come, 
can't  attend  to  everybody,"  he  gruffly  replied. — "Oh, 
sh*,"  she  said,  in  more  pleading  terms,  "  won't  you  get 
me  a  dish,  or  plate,  or  even  a  coffee  cup  would  do."  I 
procured  her  a  soup  plate;  after  using  which  she  said, 
"Won't  you  please  to  hand  it  to  that  gentleman  over 
there,  may  be  he'd  like  to  use  it  for  a  little." 

About  1 1  o'clock  we  came  in  sight  of  lona,  whose 
ruined  cathedral  we  could  see  standing  alone  upon  the 
rocky  shore.  We  landed  in  the  ship's  boat  and  hastened 
to  improve  our  hour  among  the  ruins.  I  need  hardly 
say  that  upon  this  island  the  pious  Columba  landed  in 
the  year  565  and  founded  the  college  from  which  he  sent 
forth  preachers  and  teachers  throughout  Britain.  As  we 
trod  the  sacred  soil  we  could  not  but  feel  as  Dr.  Johnson 
did  when  he  said,  "  That  man  is  little  to  be  envied  whose 
patriotism  would  not  gain  force  upon  the  plains  of  Mara- 
thon, or  whose  piety  would  not  grow  warmer  amid  the 
ruins  of  lona."  In  the  grave-yard  we  saw  the  tombs  of  the 
first  Scottish,  Irish,  and  Scandinavian  Kings,  and  also  that 
of  the  Lord  of  the  Isles.  But  the  spot  where  we  lingered 
longest  was  at  the  tomb  of  Columba.  There  is  no  doubt 
of  the  exact  spot,  as  a  few  years  ago  the  Duke  of  Argyle, 
the  lord  of  the  manor,  gave  permission  to  the  Scottish 
Archaeological  Society  to  search  for  the  tomb  of  the 
saint.  Here  they  found  a  stone  coffin,  having  his  name 
and  the  date  of  his  death  engraved  upon  it.  They  opened 
it  carefully,  and  in  it  found  his  dust.  Having  satisfied 
themselves  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the  inscription,  they 
carefully  reclosed  the  coffin  and  placed  it  in  its  original 
position.  Here,  then,  lived  a  man  who,  under  God,  be- 


AXat.  21.]  DIARY.  185 

came  the  means  of  converting  to  Christianity  the  greater 
portion  of  the  Pictish  race;  who,  though  his  life  was 
threatened,  though  the  gates  of  the  king's  palace  were 
closed  against  him,  and  he  was  denounced  by  every  priest, 
persevered  in  his  arduous  labours,  until,  having  overcome 
every  opposition,  he  saw  paganism  and  idolatry  fading 
away,  and  in  their  stead  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
reigning  over  the  hearts  of  the  people 

A  sail  of  about  two  hours  from  lona  brought  us 
in  full  view  of  Staifa.  The  first  object  we  could  see 
distinctly  was  Fingal's  Cave,  and  we  felt  that  indeed  the 
half  had  not  been  told  us  of  this  wonderful  formation. 
Staffa,  lying  about  8  miles  west  of  the  coast  of  Mull, 
is  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  circumference,  and  is  un- 
inhabited save  by  a  herd  of  cattle.  It  is  rock-bound, 
and  there  is  no  cove  where  a  ship  can  safely  run  in. 
Our  vessel  lay  about  a  mile  from  shore,  and  we  went  in 
life-boats.  The  sea  was  running  very  high,  and  had  we 
not  been  in  very  experienced  hands  we  would  have  had 
good  cause  to  be  afraid.  As  we  neared  the  shore,  we 
discerned  a  little  hollow  between  two  ledges  of  rock, 
barely  wide  enough  to  admit  a  boat :  into  this  our  boat 
shot  upon  the  crest  of  the  advancing  wave,  which  left 
us  high  and  dry  among  the  rocks.  We  walked  from  here 
across  the  island,  until  we  came  near  Fingal's  Cave, 
when  we  descended  a  steep  staircase,  and  clambered 
along  the  tops  of  the  basaltic  columns  until  we  arrived  at 
the  mouth  of  the  cave — a  mighty  archway  70  feet  high 
and  receding  inwards  about  250  feet.  Along  the  side 
there  is  a  narrow  path,  the  side  of  which  is  washed  by 
the  black,  angry  waves.  The  entire  front  and  sides  are 
composed  of  ranges  of  countless  basaltic  columns,  beauti- 


1 86  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

fully  joined  and  of  most  symmetrical  though  varied  forms. 
The  roof  exhibits  a  rich  profusion  of  overhanging  pillars 
incrusted  with  lime  ;  the  whole  forming  a  picture  of  un- 
rivalled grandeur,  and  when  once  seen  cannot  soon  be 
forgotten.  It  was  such  a  sight  as  I  never  expect  to 
see  again  unless  I  go  back  to  Staffa,  this  wondrous  arch, 
through  which  the  wild  waters  ever  urge  their  way,  its 
dark  depths  ever  and  anon  rendered  visible  by  the  flash- 
ing light  reflected  from  the  surge  of  the  advancing  waves, 
whose  wild  yet  mellow  and  sonorous  moan  rises  and  falls 
in  measured  cadence  on  the  ear.  With  feelings  of  wonder, 
and  having  our  minds  deeply  impressed  with  the  grandeur 
of  the  works  of  God,  we  slowly  retraced  our  steps  from 
the  Cave  Cathedral  of  Staffa.  Continuing  our  course  we 
soon  enter  the  Sound  of  Mull,  and  are  in  full  view  of 
Duart  Castle,  the  strength  of  the  M 'Leans  of  Duart, 
famous  for  their  prowess  in  battle.  Soon  we  pass  the 
"  Lady's  Rock,"  where  one  of  the  M'Leans  exposed  his 
wife  to  be  drowned  by  the  rising  tide.  His  wicked  de- 
sign, however,  was  frustrated  by  some  fishermen,  who, 
hearing  her  cries,  rescued  and  carried  her  to  a  place  of 
safety. 

Monday,  Sept.  2. — Raining  as  usual.  Left  Oban  at 
9.  A.M.  in  the  coach  for  Inverary,  distant  about  40  miles. 
About  20  miles  from  Oban  we  entered  the  Pass  of  Awe, 
through  which  runs  the  river  of  the  same  name,  famed 
for  its  salmon  fishing.  On  our  left  was  Ben  Cruachan,  its 
summit  capped  with  clouds.  The  mountains  round  the 
head  of  the  loch  were  once  in  possession  of  the  Camp- 
bells, whose  slogan  was,  "It's  a  far  cry  to  Loch  Awe;" 
indicating  the  impossibility  of  reaching  them  in  the 
mountain  fastness.  Skirting  along  the  shores  of  this 


.  21.]  DIARY.  187 

beautiful  loch,  we  come  to  the  inn  of  Dalmally,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Vale  of  Glenorchy,  where  we  dined.  Re- ' 
suming  our  seats,  we  pass  along  the  opposite  side  of  the 
loch,  in  full  view  of  the  ruins  of  Kilchurn  Castle,  a  wild 
yet  stately  ruin,  built  in  1443  by  the  lady  of  Sir  Colin 
Campbell,  the  Black  Knight  of  Rhodes.  Ascending  a 
steep  hill  we  stop  to  view  the  charming  scene.  Well  has 
this  vale  been  called  the  Hesperides  of  the  Highlands, 
for  never  was  a  fairer  scene  than  this.  Descending  into 
Glen  Aray  we  are  soon  at  Inverary,  where  is  Inverary 
Castle,  the  magnificent  summer  residence  of  the  Duke  of 
Argyle. 

[Sept.  3. — He  reached  Glasgow,  where  he  parted  from 
Mr.  N.,  and  took  the  train  at  8  P.M.  for  Manchester; 
which  place  he  reached  next  morning,  just  in  time  for  the 
British  Association,  of  which  he  was  a  member.] 

Manchester,  Sept.  6. — Since  I  came  I  have  been  attend- 
ing the  different  meetings  of  the  Association,  which  are 
very  interesting.  Last  night  we  had  a  Microscopic 
Soiree,  which  was  a  most  interesting  affair.  I  have  heard 
papers  from  Du  Chailltt  of  gorilla  fame,  Sir  Roderick 
Murchison,  Armstrong  of  gun  notoriety,  Sir  Chas.  Napier, 
Owen  the  great  naturalist,  Lord  Stanley,  Brewster,  and 
many  other  lesser  lights.  To-morrow  I  leave  for  London, 
spend  Sabbath  there,  and  start  for  Paris  early  on  Monday 
morning. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  8. — Arrived  in  London  late  last  evening. 
This  morning  we  went  to  Westminster  Abbey,  where  we 
heard  a  very  excellent  sermon  from  "  the  Very  Rev.  the 
Dean  of  Westminster;"  immediately  after  which  we  were 
hustled  out  of  church  like  a  flock  of  sheep  by  the  beadles, 
of  whom  there  were  not  a  few.  At  5,  started  across  the 


i88  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [iS6r. 

river  to  hear  Spurgeon.  A  ride  of  half  an  hour  over  Black- 
friars'  Bridge  brought  us  to  the  door  of  his  Metropolitan 
Tabernacle,  where  we  were  obliged  to  stand  for  about  an 
hour,  while  the  congregation  was  admitted  by  tickets  at 
the  back.  At  25  minutes  past  6,  just  five  minutes  before 
the  commencement  of  service,  the  doors  were  opened, 
and  we  all  rushed,  as  fast  as  respect  to  the  place  would 
allow  us,  for  the  few  remaining  seats.  We  were  fortunate 
in  being  just  at  the  door  when  it  was  opened,  and  conse- 
quently got  good  seats  in  the  centre  of  the  house. 
Whilst  waiting  for  the  appearance  of  Mr.  Spurgeon,  I  had 
an  opportunity  of  looking  at  the  building.  It  is  of  an 
oval  shape,  and  has  two  galleries  running  all  round.  Jut- 
ting out  from  the  first  is  a  semicircular  platform,  having  a 
sofa  and  a  small  walnut  table,  on  which  rests  the  Bible : 
this  Mr.  Spurgeon  uses  for  a  pulpit,  and  as  there  is  no 
desk  between  him  and  his  audience,  his  movements  are 
much  freer  than  they  otherwise  would  be.  Punctually  at 
6.30  Mr.  Spurgeon  rose,  and  in  a  rich,  clear  voice,  read 
the  first  hymn.  His  manner  was  calm  and  very  impressive ; 
his  style  of  reading  much  superior  to  that  of  the  ordinary 
run  of  preachers.  The  congregation  rose,  and  he  read 
each  stanza  before  it  was  sung.  After  this  he  read  the 
32nd  Psalm,  accompanying  each  verse  with  a  few  explana- 
tory remarks.  Many  of  them  were  very  striking,  and 
although  I  cannot  remember  the  best,  the  following  is  one 
which  will  show  somewhat  of  their  character.  In  speak- 
ing on  the  second  verse,  as  to  the  necessity  of  being  con- 
vinced of  sin,  he  said :  "  Brethren,  we  must  go  into  the 
stripping-room  before  we  enter  the  robing-room;  we  must 
be  sick  before  we  can  be  healed."  After  reading  he 
announced  the  hymn  beginning,  "  Children  of  the 


.  21.]  DIARY.  189 

Heavenly  King;"  and  then  made  a  brief  but  most  earnest 
prayer.  His  manner  of  prayer  partakes  largely  of  the 
colloquial,  and  was  such  that  even  the  most  careless  could 
not  but  have  been  impressed.  After  singing  another  hymn 
he  announced  his  text,  Job  viii.  13,  14,  "  TJie  hypocrite's 
hope  shall  perish  :  whose  hope  shall  be  cut  off,  and  whose 
trust  shall  be  a  spider's  web." 

The  sermon  was  not  what  could  be  called  a  grand 
one,  but  a  most  earnest,  faithful,  affectionate  appeal. 
His  arguments  were  very  closely  followed,  and  yet  so 
simple  that  a  child  could  understand  them.  His  illustra- 
tions, both  in  the  way  of  similes  and  anecdotes,  were  ap- 
propriate, and  were  put  with  great  power.  All  this  coupled 
with  a  magnificent  voice,  and  a  great  natural  earnestness 
of  delivery,  gave  him  a  perfect  mastery  over  his  audience, 
so  that  when  he  sat  down,  after  speaking  for  more  than 
an  hour,  we  wondered  at  his  brevity,  and  were  astonished 
to  find  he  had  been  speaking  so  long. 

One  most  pleasing  feature  of  Mr.  Spurgeon  is,  that  at 
least  to  all  appearance  he  has  not  been  spoiled  by  his 
popularity.  Everything  about  him  seemed  so  natural, 
and  he  had  none  of  that  self-sanctified  manner  so  disa- 
greeable in  the  preaching  of  some.  He  is  a  wonderful 
man.  Every  sentence  bears  the  impress  of  a  giant  mind  ; 
and  yet,  judging  from  what  we  heard  this  evening,  he 
does  not  make  this  a  reason  for  meeting  his  people  un- 
prepared and  trusting  to  the  impulse  of  the  hour,  but 
rather  presents  them  with  a  carefully  studied,  well 
digested  discourse. 

Sept.  9,  1861. — Left  London  at  9.50  for  Paris  via 
Folkestone  and  Boulogne.  A  ride  of  two  hours  through 
a  very  well  cultivated  country  brought  us  to  Folkestone 


190  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

Harbour,  where  we  embarked  in  one  of  the  little  cockle- 
shell Channel  steamers  for  Boulogne We  reached 

Boulogne  in  about  two  and  a  half  hours  after  leaving 

Folkestone At  about  3  o'clock  started  for  Paris, 

distant  about  160  miles At  8.30  entered  that  city, 

and  after  sundry  delays  reached  the  Hotel  du  Louvre. 
Having  secured  our  rooms  we  started  out  to  see  the  city. 
Although  it  was  almost  midnight,  the  streets  were 
crowded :  long  rows  of  lamps  extend  as  far  as  the  eye 
can  reach,  while  the  Boulevards  in  many  places  are  lighted 
with  the  electric  light.  Started  through  the  Palais  Royal 
and  along  the  Champs  Elysee,  and  back  to  the  hotel, 
where  we  got  to  bed  as  the  clock  was  on  the  stroke  of  one. 

My  first  impressions  of  Paris  are  very  pleasing.  It 
is  a  very  magnificent  city — by  far  the  grandest  that  I  have 
ever  seen;  and  yet  I  am  far  more  content  to  live  in  my 
own  beloved  land,  and  would  deeply  regret  the  necessity 
that  would  cause  me  to  live,  or  even  spend  any  length  of 
time,  in  this  too  gay  city.  All  that  I  have  seen  only 
makes  me  love  and  appreciate  my  own  land  the  more. 

Left  Paris  at  7.30;  travelled  all  night. 

[Sept.  ii. — He  arrived  in  Geneva  and  presented  his 
letter  to  the  Evangelical  Alliance  assembled  there. 
Visited  the  Meeting  of  the  Waters,  tombs  of  Sir  Humphry 
Davy  and  John  Calvin;  also  the  houses  of  Voltaire  and 
Lord  Byron.] 

Sept.  12. — We  left  Geneva  in  a  two -horse 

volante  for  Chamounix  at  7  A.M.  The  morning  was  all 
that  could  be  desired,  not  a  cloud  was  to  be  seen,  and 
it  was  warm  without  being  uncomfortable. 

The  first  village  we  approached  was  that  of  Chesne  on 
the  Seine:  this  stream  is  the  dividing  line  between  Savoy 


.  21.]  DIARY.  191 

and  Switzerland.  Our  course  now  lies  along  the  banks 
of  the  Arve,  a  muddy,  swift  stream,  which  has  its  source 
in  the  glacier  Mer  de  Glace.  At  1 1  o'clock  we  reach  the 
village  of  Bonneville,  where  we  rest  for  an  hour. 

Though  the  beauty  of  Swiss  scenery  is  unrivalled,  much 
of  the  charm  is  taken  away  by  the  poverty  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, which  presents  itself  at  every  step.  One  cannot 
travel  through  a  village,  however  small,  without  seeing 
dozens  of  women  disfigured  by  goitre.  In  many  cases  this  is 
most  disgusting;  and  as  they  make  no  attempt  to  conceal 
it,  one  cannot  avoid  seeing  it  as  it  hangs  down  from  their 
cheek  or  chin,  sometimes  being  as  much  as  a  foot  in 
length.  There  are  also  many  of  the  Cretins,  those  poor, 
miserable,  half-idiotic  creatures,  whose  life  seems  to  be 
to  them  a  very  burden,  and  to  whom  death  would  be  a 
blessing.  To  see  one  of  these  beings  lying  on  the  road- 
side asking  for  alms,  is  one  of  the  saddest  sights  I  ever 
witnessed;  and  it  is  indeed  a  blessing  that  such  a  fearful 
scourge  is  confined  to  a  very  small  section  of  country. 

After  leaving  Bonneville,  our  road  lay  up  a  most  beauti- 
ful vine-clad  valley,  having  on  the  one  side  the  Mont 
Brezon,  whose  fir-clad  peaks  tower  to  the  height  of  2,000 
feet  above  the  valley.  Crossing  the  Arve,  and  passing 
through  the  village  of  Cluses,  we  enter  a  deep  defile 
through  which  the  Arve  rushes — the  pass  is  barely  wide 
enough  for  the  narrow  river  bed  and  the  road,  and  is 
overhung  by  steep  Alpine  precipices.  A  few  miles  from 
Cluses  the  pass  opens  out;  and  in  the  face  of  the  cliff,  800 
feet  above  the  valley,  is  the  Grotto  of  Balme.  It  extends 
about  2,000  feet  into  the  mountains,  and  from  the  mouth 
a  magnificent  view  may  be  had  of  the  Jura  Alps.  About 
a  mile  from  this  cave  there  is  a  beautiful  waterfall,  the 

13 


192  MEMOIR  OF  WTLLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

Nant  d'Asperzas :  the  stream  is  quite  small,  and  is  lost 
in  spray  long  before  reaching  the  bottom. 

One  most  interesting  feature  in  this  pass  is  the  wonder- 
ful contortions  in  the  strata  as  exposed  in  the  face  of  the 
clifts,  showing  what  a  power  must  have  been  exercised 
during  the  volcanic  era  when  these  huge  masses  were 
heaved  up. 

A  sudden  turn  in  the  road  brings  us  in  full  view  of  the 
range  of  Mont  Blanc,  crowned  by  the  majestic  peak  of 
the  mountain  of  mountains  itself.  The  sky  was  a  rich 
deep  blue,  the  sun  shining  as  it  only  does  in  Italy  and 
America; — that  mountain  of  purest  snow,  with  its  glaciers 
flashing  like  diamond  points,  its  majestic  form,  its  deep, 
dark  ravines,  penetrating  into  the  very  bowels  of  the 
earth,  was  the  grandest  sight  I  ever  beheld.  Involuntarily 
we  lifted  our  hats,  and  stood  for  more  than  twenty  minutes 
transfixed  by  the  grandeur  of  the  scene.  We  could  not 
but  exclaim  with  the  poet, — 

"  Mont  Blanc  is  the  monarch  of  mountains 

They  crowned  him  long  ago, 
On  a  throne  of  rocks,  in  a  robe  of  clouds, 
With  a  diadem  of  snow.  "| 

It  would  be  the  height  of  presumption  for  me  to  at- 
tempt to  describe  this  scene.  Man  has  not  words  for  it, 
— the  imagination  of  the  poet  cannot  grasp  it.  To  feel 
what  it  is,  you  must  yourself  stand  as  we  stood,  upon  the 
little  stone  bridge  of  St.  Martin,  and  gaze  upon  the  ma- 
jestic panorama.  About  an  hour  after  leaving  St.  Martin 
we  ascended  a  steep  hill,  from  the  summit  of  which  we 
had  another  splendid  view  of  the  mountain,  no  longer 
white,  but  reflecting  the  roseate  hues  of  the  setting 
sun. 


.  21.]  DIARY.  193 

Descending  into  the  valley,  a  drive  of  half  an  hour 
brought  us  to  Chamounix,  where,  after  supper,  we  soon 
retired ;  and  as  we  lay  in  bed  we  could  see  the  full  moon 
shining  upon  the  summit  of  the  mountain,, 

Sept.  14. — Another  splendid  day.  At  the  breakfast 
table  we  formed  a  party  of  seven  to  ascend  the  Montan- 
vert  and  view  the  Mer  de  Glace.  At  10  we  started,  our 
ladies  mounted  upon  mules.  There  is  a  very  good  mule 
path  to  the  summit  of  Montanvert,  made  lately  by 
Napoleon  at  great  labour  and  expense,  in  many  cases 
being  blasted  out  of  the  solid  rock.  As  we  approached 
the  summit,  the  ascent  became  very  steep,  the  road  being 
a  succession  of  steps  in  the  rocks,  many  of  them  three 
feet  in  height.  ...  A  climb  of  two  hours  placed  us  on  the 
summit  of  Montanvert,  with  the  Mer  de  Glace  at  our 
feet — before  us,  stretching  up  the  hollow,  was  this  Sea  of 
Ice;  here  it  divided,  one  branch  running  past  the  Col  du 
Ge'ant  up  almost  to  the  summit  of  Mont  Blanc,  the  other 
extending  round  the  Aiguille  du  Dome  to  the  Jardin. 
All  round  us  rose  the  unclimbed  rocks  known  as  the 
Aiguilles.  They  shoot  up  almost  perpendicularly  from 
the  mountain-side,  and  are,  as  I  have  said,  inaccessible. 
Having  engaged  a  guide,  we  prepared  to  cross  the  Mer 
de  Glace,  leaving  the  ladies  on  the  heights  to  await  our 
return.  Looking  well  to  our  shoes  and  the  spikes  of  our 
Alpine  stocks,  we  descended  upon  the  ice.  Advancing 
about  20  feet,  we  came  to  a  crevice  about  2  feet  wide  ; 
lying  down  upon  the  ice,  we  looked  in  to  see  the  deep 
blue  colour  which  is  so  remarkable  in  this  glacier.  We 
then  took  a  stone,  and  dropping  it  in,  listened  for  some 
seconds  until  we  heard  it  plunge  into  the  water  below; 
and  we  thought  what  a  dreadful  death  to  fall  into  such 


194  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1861. 

a  place,  and  may  be  linger  for  days  and  hours  in  agony, 
being  gradually  crushed  by  the  closing  ice,  and  no  one 
able  to  render  relief.  Arriving  at  the  middle  of  the 
glacier,  the  real  work  began.  Here  we  were  obliged  to 
cut  steps  in  the  ice  and  walk  along  in  single  file,  some- 
times ascending  and  sometimes  descending,  until  we 
reached  the  edge  of  a  large  crevice,  which  had  opened 
but  a  few  days  before.  Lying  down  upon  the  ice,  we 
looked  into  this,  and  it  made  us  shudder  to  think  of  the 
fearful  depth,  which  we  found  by  measurement  to  be  over 
700  feet 

These  glaciers  form  a  subject  of  most  interesting  study, 
and  have  attracted  the  attention  of  the  most  eminent 
scientific  men.  It  has  now  been  determined  that  they 
move,  and  that  their  motion  is  from  12  to  20  inches 
a-day.  This  was  practically  proved  a  few  days  since,  by 
the  discovery  of  the  remains  of  some  persons  who  had 
been  lost  forty  years  before  at  the  head  of  the  Glacier  de 
Boissons.  Prof.  Forbes  told  the  guides  repeatedly  that 
in  about  forty  years  from  the  time  the  party  were  lost  their 
remains  might  be  looked  for  at  the  foot  of  the  glacier ; 
calculating  that  it  would  take  the  ice  in  which  they  were 
imbedded  just  that  time  to  work  itself  from  the  head  of 
the  glacier.  This  discovery  has  proved  the  correctness 
of  his  theory. 

Returning  to  the  Montanvert,  we  descended  the  moun- 
tain and  reached  the  hotel  at  5,  just  in  time  for  the  table 
d'hote,  which  our  sharpened  appetites  enabled  us  to  do 
full  justice  to.  After  dinner  we  walked  round  amongst 
the  shops,  and  went  to  see  the  clothing  of  Balmat,  which, 
as  I  have  mentioned,  was  found  a  few  days  ago.  This 
Balmat  made  the  first  ascent  of  the  mountain  in  1798, 


JEtat.  21.]  DIARY.  195 

and  was  for  many  years  the  only  one  who  could  be  found 
willing  to  undertake  so  hazardous  an  adventure. 

Sabbath  evening,  Nov.  17,  1861. — Six  months,  and  not 
a  word  in  confidence  to  you,  my  old  valued  friend  !  I 
have  wandered  through  England,  Scotland,  France,  Ger- 
many, and  Switzerland,  and  have  not  told  you  a  word  of 
it.  Well,  here  I  am  again,  home,  in  health.  How  much 
has  transpired  since  I  talked  with  you  last !  Loved  ones 
have  passed  away,  strange  sights  have  been  seen,  and  I 
am  older,  nearer  eternity — I  hope  better  than  before. 
Still,  I  feel  my  soul  clogged  by  sin  ;  sinful  thoughts,  and 
from  them  sinful  pleasures,  trammel  my  soul,  and  cut 
short  its  flight.  Too  much  of  the  world — too  little  of 
Jesus.  How  hard  it  is  for  one  to  exercise  faith  as  it 
should  be  exercised  !  We  all  talk  about  it  a  great  deal, 
but  when  it  comes  to  a  real,  severe  test,  how  it  falters  and 
doubts  !  as  if  such  an  anomaly  can  exist — a  doubting  faith. 
Such  as  this  will  not  save  us.  To  be  efficient  unto  salva- 
tion, it  must  be  such  as  will  carry  us  through  the  very 
gates  of  death,  shouting  loud  hallelujahs  to  a  Saviour 
King. 

To-day  was  to  me  a  pleasant  one.  The  school  was 
good  both  morning  and  afternoon.  I  felt  my  soul  much 
benefited  by  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Van  Meter,  of  the 
Wanderer's  Home,  New  York.  In  the  afternoon,  Rev. 
J.  Morrison,  of  the  Lodiana  Mission,  N.  India,  gave  us 
a  most  interesting  address.  Did  not  go  out  in  the  even- 
ing, but  after  worship  sang  hymns  with  the  children — 


"  Oh,  the  sweet  joy  this  sentence  gives, 
I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives." 


Retired  early. 


196  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1862. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  i. — A  bright  clear  day.  Held  the  fourth 
Anniversary  of  our  Mission  School  in  the  afternoon. 
There  were  present  180  children  and  40  visitors.  Ad- 
dresses were  delivered  by  Dr.  Wylie,  Dr.  Faires,  Father 
Martin,  and  Heber  Newton — all  most  excellent,  and  were 
very  attentively  listened  to  by  the  children,  whose  good 
order  was  remarked  by  every  one.  We  feel  greatly  en- 
couraged in  our  labours,  and  go  forward  with  greater  zeal 
in  our  Master's  work. 

Tuesday,  Dec.  9,  1 86  2. — M ore  than  a  year  has  passed 
since  last  I  opened  a  thought  on  these  pages.  What 
events  have  been  crowded  in  that  year !  A  merciful  God 
has  protected  me  in  my  journeyings  on  the  mighty  deep 
and  in  a  distant  land ;  friends,  familiar  faces,  have  passed 
from  earth  to  heaven  ;  means  of  grace  have  been  em- 
braced or  neglected  ;  my  life  has  been  spared,  and  even 
though  my  health  has  not  been  in  full  measure  continued 
to  me,  God  has  given  me,  to  be  my  partner  in  life,  her 
on  whom  my  boyish  hopes  were  fixed,  and  who  was  the 
choice  of  my  riper  years.  Yes,  she  is  mine,  and  I  am 
hers.  "  What  can  I  render  unto  God  for  all  his  benefits 
to  me  T 

Now  we  are  leaving  New  York  in  the  steamer  British 
Queen,  for  Santa  Cruz  via  Havana.  The  day  is  clear  and 
very  cold.  Good-byes  are  said,  the  steamer  moves  slowly 
down  the  Bay,  and  soon  Sandy  Hook  is  lost  in  the  dis- 
tance. It  is  a  most  beautiful  afternoon,  and  the  sunset 
is  most  brilliant.  Our  quarters  are  none  of  the  best, 
either  for  eating  or  sleeping ;  still  we  will  try  and  put  up 
with  them  for  the  short  voyage. 

Tuesday,  Dec.   16. — Entered  the  harbour  of  Havana 


sEtat.  22.]  DIARY.  197 

about  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  anchored  at  9.  The 
forts  at  the  entrance  look  more  picturesque  than  for- 
midable. Getting  our  baggage  in  one  boat  and  ourselves 
in  another,  after  a  row  of  a  mile  and  a  half,  we  reached 
the  Custom  House  Wharf.  Here  we  pay  $2  each  for 
permission  to  stay  in  the  city,  and  after  the  usual  exami- 
nation of  baggage,  take  a  volante  and  drive  to  the 
Hotel  Cubano.  We  find  commodious  rooms,  and  soon 
make  ourselves  at  home.  Oh,  the  luxury  of  getting 
off  a  ship,  to  get  a  good  wash,  be  able  to  turn 
round  and  stretch  your  legs,  and  get  on  some  clean 
clothes  !  After  a  lunch,  we  left  M.  for  a  while  to  her 
meditations,  and  went  to  present  some  letters  of  intro- 
duction  

In  the  afternoon  we  drove  beyond  the  walls,  along  the 
Paseo  de  Jacon,  past  the  Archbishop's  Palace,  to  the 
residence  of  Madame  Herrera,  a  widow,  having  neither 
kith  nor  kin,  and  the  possessor  of  one  of  the  largest  estates 
around  Havana.  Uncle  D.  and  M.  walked  around ;  I  being 
too  weak  stayed  in  the  carriage.  Very  extravagant,  but 
with  an  utter  want  of  taste — a  thing  which  seems  to  be 
quite  unknown  in  Cuba.  As  we  drove  in,  we  saw  the 
senoritas  sitting  in  their  parlours  protected  by  iron  bars, 
and  shopping  in  their  volantes. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  2 1. — A  beautiful  clear  day.  After  break- 
fast retired  to  my  room — read  and  prayed,  Tried  to  feel 
the  solemnity  of  the  day,  but  could  not  fix  my  thoughts, 
as  at  home.  No  Sabbath  sun  shines  on  this  beautiful 
island;  over  it  hangs,  in  heavy  folds,  the  black,  loathsome 
mantle  of  Popery.  Thought  of  Heber's  missionary  hymn, 
especially  the  verse  beginning,  "  Salvation,  O  salvation." 
Read  in  "  Memories  of  Gennesaret," — a  delightful  book 


198  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.         [1862. 

by  Macduff.  Had  a  sweet  talk  with  M.  before  dinner. 
Enjoyed  that  meal  more  than  any  time  since  I  landed ; — • 
feel  a  little  better  to-day,  as  it  is  bright.  How  strange 
that  the  weather  should  thus  affect  the  health  of  an  in- 
valid !  Thought  much  of  home — the  family  altar — the 
gathering  in  church  and  meeting  familiar  faces ;  especially 
thought  of  and  prayed  for  my  mission  school :  I  cannot 
think  that  that  little  band  will  be  left  without  a  leader  : 
God  will  raise  up  some  one  who  will  better  fill  my  place, 
and  the  work  will  go  on. 

About  5  o'clock  walked  to  the  Promenade  by  the  sea 
with  uncle  D.  and  the  Messrs.  R. — my  first  walk  for 
three  days.  Came  home  in  about  an  hour,  pretty  well 
fagged  out  Throat  a  little  sore. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  24. — I  can  scarcely  believe 

that  this  is  Christmas  Eve — so  different  from  the  scenes 
of  home;  yet  I  know,  as  those  circles  are  gathered  to- 
gether this  evening,  we,  the  absent  ones,  are  often  and 
lovingly  spoken  of,  and  the  places  we  filled  are  not  for- 
gotten. 

Thursday,  Dec.  .25. — Christmas  Day !  Damp  and 
dull  as  usual.  M.  and  uncle  D.  went  out  to  see  some 
churches  whilst  I  wrote  letters.  Dinner  very  late,  and 
supposed  to  be  very  grand. 

Friday,  Dec.  26. — A  beautiful  clear  day.  At  1 1  ordered 
a  carriage,  and  taking  Don  John  as  valet,  started  out  for 
a  drive.  From  Christmas  to  Sabbath  are  feast  days,  and 
no  one  does  any  work.  Drove  to  the  Captain-General's 
gardens,  on  the  Paseo  de  Isabel — were  charmed  with 
what  we  saw — long  avenues  of  stately  palms,  a  beautiful 
aviary,  cotton  and  coffee  in  full  bloom,  pine  apples 
in  every  stage  of  growth;  and  in  the  midst  of  all  a 


.  22.]  DIARY.  199 

summer  residence,  which,  however,  is  not  open  to 
visitors. 

From  the  gardens  we  drove  over  a  most  break-neck 
road  to  the  Cemetery.  This  is  indeed  a  strange  place. 
Imagine  a  large  grassy  quadrangle  surrounded  by  a  white 
stone  wall  about  25  feet  high  and  12  feet  thick.  In  this 
wall  the  bodies  are  deposited,  feet  outwards :  the  openings 
look  like  windows  rounded  at  the  top,  and  are  filled  up 
with  a  slab  of  marble,  or  slate,  bearing  the  name  of  the 
deceased.  For  the  use  of  one  of  these  repositories  the 
friends  of  the  deceased  pay  $200  for  ten  years:  if  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time  the  payment  is  not  renewed,  the 
body  is  taken  out  and  thrown  into  one  of  the  large  pits 
in  the  centre  of  the  quadrangle,  where  paupers  are  buried. 
At  the  end  of  a  certain  time  these  pits  are  re-opened  and 
the  contents  sold  to  vegetable  growers  to  fertilize  their 
gardens.  Returned  to  the  hotel  at  1.30 — very  tired. 
.Uncle  D.  returned  with  a  good  account  of  Matanzas,  so 
we  will  all  go  down  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  Dec.  27. — A  very  warm  day.  Felt  very 
poorly.  Left  Havana  for  Matanzas  at  3.25 — country 
very  monotonous — arrived  at  6.40 — beautiful  moonlight 
night — went  at  once  to  the  Hewitt  House,  where  we 
found  rooms  prepared  for  us :  the  house  is  plain,  but 
American,  and  therefore  more  home-like.  Retired  at 
8.30,  very  much  worn  out. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  28. — Rose  at  9.15,  having  passed  a  very 
restless  night  with  my  cough.  After  dinner  suffered  from 
indigestion.  Towards  dusk  sat  on  the  porch  and  enjoyed 
the  cool  of  the  evening.  Had  a  long  talk  with  our 
Consul,  Mr.  C.,  from  whom  I  obtained  a  good  deal 
of  information  in  regard  to  Cuba;  and  also  heard  from 


200  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART.          [1862. 

him  the  interesting  narration  of  his  arrest  and  subse- 
quent release  from  Rebeldom.  Retired  at  10.  Fleas 
very  bad. 

Monday,  Dec.  29. — Weather  quite  warm.  Stayed  in 
the  house  all  morning.  Read  in  the  "  Marble  Fawn." 
Afternoon,  had  a  delightful  ride  with  M.  along  the  sea- 
shore. 

Tuesday,  Dec.  30. — Rose  at  6.30,  and  after  a  hurried 
breakfast,  started  with  a  party  for  the  plantation  of  Mr. 
Jenks.  Our  party  consisted  of  eight,  four  in  volantes 
and  four  on  horseback.  The  road  over  which  we  went 
was  fearful  and  execrable,  being  nothing  but  huge  masses 
of  rock,  over  which  no  vehicle  but  a  Spanish  volante 
would  ever  dare  to  venture,  except  to  certain  destruction. 
Upward  we  thus  toiled  for  an  hour,  when  suddenly  we 
came  to  a  level  spot;  and  looking  out,  the  beautiful  valley 
of  the  Tumuri  lay  at  our  feet — the  first  piece  of  tropical 
scenery  we  had  seen.  It  certainly  was  very  lovely  as  it 
lay  there,  its  sides  clothed  with  palm  trees  and  richly 
wooded  cliffs.  After  gazing  a  while  at  its  beauties,  the 
rest  of  the  party,  who  had  lagged  behind,  rode  up,  and 
in  a  few  moments  we  drove  into  the  plantation.  The 
sugar-making  process  is  very  simple ;  but  as  it  was  new 
to  us,  we  were  much  interested.  Our  blood  ran  cold  to 
see  the  fearful  treatment  the  poor  horses  that  were  working 
the  crushing-mill  received  from  the  negroes  and  coolies 
who  were  driving  them;  and  then,  I  thought,  why  blame 
them,  ignorant  creatures !  they  know  not  what  mercy  is, 
as  they  receive  but  little  better  treatment  from  their 
masters. 

All  Cuba  is  one  vast  den  of  oppression,  extortion,  and 
cruelty.  Only  the  other  day  we  saw  a  chicken  being 


JEtat.  22.]  DIARY.  201 

picked  alive;  and  when  we  called  the  attention  of  a 
Spaniard  to  it,  he  laughed  and  said,  "  That  was  common 
enough."  The  patient  oxen  are  driven  with  a  long  pole, 
at  the  end  of  which  is  an  iron  goad  several  inches  in 
length,  which  is  frequently  driven  into  them  till  the  blood 
spirts  out,  and  they  fairly  moan  with  pain.  Such  are 
the  Spaniards ! 

Wednesday,  Dec.  31. — Rose  at  6.30,  after  a  painfully 
sleepless  night.  Wrote  home.  Seized  with  a  violent  fit 
of  coughing  which  caused  intense  pain.  Evening,  sat 
with  M.  in  the  parlour — heard  some  fine  music  from  a 
Cuban  gentleman  educated  in  Philadelphia.  Would 
like  much  to  stay  up  and  see  the  old  year  out,  but  am 
too  tired. 

Friday.  Jan.  2, 1863. — Rose  at  4.30,  and  after  a  hurried 
cup  of  coffee  drove  to  the  Guinas  R.  Road,  from  whence 
we  started  at  6. 15  for  Havana.  Arrived  at  8.30,  in  ample 
time  for  breakfast.  Uncle  D.  went  to  see  about  the 
steamer  Ocean  Bird,  to  sail  for  Santa  Cruz;  and  I,  taking 
Don  John  in  a  volante,  did  some  shopping  and  looked 
after  our  passports.  Returned  to  the  hotel  about  i, 
feeling  better  than  any  day  since  I  left  home.  Afternoon, 
sat  in  our  room  with  M.,  not  feeling  as  bright  as  in  the 
morning. 

After  all  uncle's  trouble  about  the  Ocean  Bird,  she  is 
not  going  to  sail  at  all — so  we  must  take  the  Conway, 
(an  inferior  vessel).  So  much  for  Spanish  truth  and 
Spanish  punctuality ! 

Saturday,  Jan.  3. — Rose  at  8.30,  after  a  very  restlessr 
sleepless  night.  M.  suffering  much  from  a  sore  throat : 
she  can  hardly  swallow.  My  stomach  very  sore  from 


202 


MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 


[1863. 


last  night's  coughing.     Did  not  go  out,  but  slept  an  hour 
or  two  in  the  rocking-chair. 

[This  is  the  last  entry  Willie  ever  made  in  his  Diary, 
owing  to  increased  debility.] 


EXTRACTS 


FROM 


LETTERS     TO     M . 


LETTERS    TO     M. 


Extracts  which  follow  are  made  from  a 
long  correspondence  with  the  lady  whom 
William  subsequently  married. 


419  SPRUCE  STREET,  November  %,  1856. 

I  will  be  unable  to  see  you  this  afternoon,  and  pro- 
bably for  some  time  to  come.  Our  dear  Frank  was 
taken  very  ill  last  night,  and  we  fear  he  will  not  live.  All 
the  morning  he  had  violent  spasms,  but  he  is  a  little 
easier  now.  God  knoweth  what  is  best:  He  will  do  all 
things  well.  To  think  that  yesterday  he  was  as  well  as 
any  of  us — now  stricken  down 


Decetnler  2,  i3s6. 


On  Sabbath  afternoon  we  had,  instead  of  Sab- 
bath school,  a  prayer-meeting  preparatory  to  communion. 
Rev.  Mr.  T.  of  the  Baptist  Church  made  a  beautiful 
address,  showing  how  it  was  the  first  impulse  of  the 


206  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Christian,  having  found  Christ  himself,  to  go  immediately 
to  his  nearest  friend  or  relative,  and  say,  "  I  have  found 
the  Messiah;  come  and  see."  During  the  whole  address 
I  thought  of  you,  dear  M.  Now  that  I  have  found 
Christ,  I  would  desire  to  lead  you  to  Him  also.  He  is 
a  loving  Saviour.  He  has  accepted  me,  though  a  poor 
sinner;  and  He  will  receive  you,  if  you  come  now. 
"Now  is  the  accepted  time."  "Those  that  seek  me 
early  shall  find  me."  It  is  a  choice  which  I  know  you 
will  never,  no  never  regret. 

In  the  evening  we  had  another  prayer-meeting,  which 
was  addressed  by  Rev.  Messrs.  F.  and  W.  It  seemed 
indeed  to  be  a  sweet  foretaste  of  that  eternity  we  shall 
spend  around  the  .throne  of  God,  where  I  hope  to  meet 
you,  and  sing  His  praises  throughout  all  eternity. 


419  SPRUCE  STREET,  December  9,  1856. 

On  my  return  from  the  house  of  God  this  evening  I 
opened  your  precious  note,  and  words  would  fail  to  ex- 
press the  feelings  of  my  inmost  soul  on  reading  those 
sentiments  of  your  heart.  I  feel  that  God  is  indeed 
answering  my  earnest,  importunate  petitions  on  your 
behalf. 

You  mention  as  a  reason  for  not  coming  to  Christ, 
Ridicule.  Oh,  I  hope,  indeed  I  am  sure,  you  will  not 
allow  so  trifling  a  thing  as  this  to  influence  your  eternal 
welfare !  A  few  sneers  of  the  ungodly  to  bar  you  from 
eternity!  Oh,  no!  They  are  only  means  by  which  God 
wishes  to  test  your  faith.  Press  onward !  He  has  said, 
"  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden, 


LETTERS  TO  M.  207 

and  I  will  give  you  rest" — "  I  love  them  that  love  me; 
and  they  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me."  With  such 
precious  promises  as  these,  how,  how  can  you  stay  away 
from  your  Friend,  who  "sticketh  closer  than  a  brother!" 
A.ngels  would  rejoice,  and  bear  aloft  with  shouts  of  joy 
the  news  of  your  salvation.  Could  you  refuse  to  come  to 
a  Saviour  who  counted  not  His  life  dear  for  you?  Pray 
earnestly:  pour  forth  the  inmost  petitions  of  your  soul; 
and  God  from  His  high  throne  will  bend  and  hear  the 
prayer  of  the  humblest  sinner.  Think  of  this,  and  put 
not  off  for  a  moment  the  seeking  of  salvation  for  your 
soul.  Come,  trusting  in  the  merits  of  the  blood  of 
Calvary;  come  humbly;  come  with  all  confidence  in  a 
loving,  forgiving  Saviour,  and  you  will  in  no  wise  be 
cast  out. 

I  will  not  cease  to  make  you  a  subject  of  special 
prayer  to  Almighty  God,  that  He  would  pour  out  His 
Spirit  upon  you  in  copious  showers,  and  bring  you  early 
to  Himself.  Give  the  dew  of  your  youth  unto  the  Lord. 
Pray  for  me. 


December  10,  1856. 

1  received  your  sweet  note  a  few  moments  ago,  and 
hasten  to  return  an  answer.  How  rejoiced  am  I  to  see 
that  you  are  beginning  to  come  to  Christ !  Oh,  press 
onward  !  The  only  way  to  be  saved  is  first  to  feel  the 
weight  of  your  sins,  your  inability  to  save  yourself,  and 
consequently  your  need  of  a  Saviour. 

Oh,  M.,  as  I  walk  along  the  streets,  or  go  to  college, 
and  see  hundreds  (I  would  almost  say)  of  young  men 
rushing  on  to  their  destruction,  my  heart  fairly  bleeds  for 
14 


2o8  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

them.  They  all  must  die — sooner  or  later  appear  before 
the  judgment-seat  of  a  righteous  God.  It  makes  me 
fairly  shudder  to  think  what  the  fate  of  many  of  them 
must  be,  unless  the  hand  of  Mercy  is  stretched  out  to 
save  them. 

Pray  for  me,  oh,  pray  for  me,  that  God  would  give  me 
grace  to  resist  the  many  temptations  which  daily  and 
hourly  assail  me  at  every  step ;  and  I  will  pray  for  you, 
earnestly  and  imploringly,  that  God  would  bring  you  to 
Himself.  Yes,  even  before  leaving  my  room  this  after- 
noon I  will  go  to  the  throne  of  grace  and  mercy,  and 
plead  with  God  on  your  behalf. 


December  13,  1856.    11.30  P.M. 

Although  so  near  Sabbath  morning,  I  cannot  refrain 
from  dropping  you  a  few  lines.  To-night  I  am  perfectly 
miserable  with  my  head ;  it  feels  as  if  melted  lead  were 
running  from  one  side  to  the  other.  I  suppose  you  have 
been  feasting  on  Thalberg,  Gottschalk,  and  D'Angri  this 
evening.  I  envy  you. 

When  I  spoke  to  you  about  joining  the  Church  at  the 
approaching  communion,  you  said,  "  Not  this  time."  Oh, 
if  you  do  not  feel  prepared  this  time,  do  not  defer  it 
longer  than  the  next.  Do  not,  as  Felix  did,  wait  for  "a 
more  convenient  season;"  but  rather  come  as  you  are,  a 
humble,  penitent  sinner,  and  throwing  yourself  at  the 
foot  of  the  cross,  say,  "Here  am  I,  Lord,  a  helpless 
sinner;  do  with  me  what  Thou  wilt."  Then  will  He  look 
down  upon  you  with  compassion  and  tender  mercy,  and 
incline  your  heart  unto  Himself.  How  I  would  rejoice 


LETTERS  TO  M.  209 

to  see  you  taking  this  step  !  "  Choose  this  day  whom  ye 
will  serve."  "Fear  not;  I  am  with  you."  With  such 
blessed  words  as  these  addressed  to  you  by  a  loving 
Saviour,  how  can  you  hold  back  any  longer  from  doing 
His  commands  1 . , 


December  19,  1856. 

Ere  this  reaches  you,  you  will  have  witnessed  that 
most  solemn  sacrament,  the  Lord's  Supper;  and  I  fondly 
hope  that  there  you  confirmed  the  resolution  I  doubt  not 
you  have  heretofore  prayerfully  and  carefully  made,  that 
when  another  communion  season  shall  have  come  round, 
you  would  sit  down  at  your  Saviour's  table.  You  have 
been  much  in  my  thoughts  lately,  and  again  and  again 
at  the  throne  of  grace  have  I  laid  your  case,  and  im- 
plored a  divine  and  enriching  blessing  to  descend  upon 
you.  Be  earnest,  be  steadfast :  never  despair,  but  trust 
in  the  rich  promises  of  a  covenant-keeping  God,  and  He 
will  reward  you  plentifully. 


PHILAD.,  yanuary  t,  1857. 

So  another  year  is  gone !  Another  precious 

gem  of  youth  lost  in  the  ocean  of  eternity  ! 

Just  before  the  clock  struck  1 2  last  night,  I  arose  from 
my  bed  and  poured  forth  a  burdened  soul  to  God,  as  the 
old  year  departed  and  a  new  one  was  ushered  in;  and 
you  had  a  foremost  place.  Yes,  earnestly  did  I  plead 
with  God  to  bring  you  early  into  His  fold  and  make 
you  His  own. 


2io  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Saturday  morning,  2  cfclock,  January  17,  1857. 

Although  so  late,  I  cannot  refrain  from  writing  you. 
You  cannot  imagine  how  my  heart  leaped  with  joy  this 
afternoon,  when  you  said,  "  I  will  try."  There  is  magic 
in  the  word  :  how  often  has  it  raised  the  spirits  of  some 
wretched  one  struggling  to  maintain  an  existence,  and 
inspired  him  to  new  hopes  of.  success  !  I  could  see 
yesterday  afternoon  that  Satan  was  struggling  hard  in 
your  breast.  Drive  him  out  once  effectually,  and  by  the 
grace  of  God  he  will  never  return.  "  Look  to  Jesus." 

I  have  searched  out  a  few  texts  of  Scripture, 

which  I  would  like  you  to  read. 

1.  A  Rule  for  Prayer. — i  Thess.  v.  17;  Phil.  iv.  6. 

2.  Promises. — Deut.   iv.   29;  Ps.   cxlv.  18,  19;  Luke 
xi.  10;  Jer.  xxix.  12;  2  Cor.  xii.  9. 

3.  Benefit  of  confessing  Sins. — i  John  i.  9. 

Read  these,  and  tell  me  this  afternoon  what  you 
think.  . 


January  26,  1857.     8  A.M. 

.....  Last  evening  I  was  by  the  death-bed  of  one 
of  our  Sabbath  scholars.  Although  not  regularly  in  my 
class,  I  have  occasionally  taught  him,  and  felt  a  deep 
interest  in  his  spiritual  welfare.  Had  you  heard  what 
that  little  boy  said  to  me,  the  message  he  sent  to  his 
class,  you  would  have  felt  more  powerfully  than  human 
words  could  utter,  the  power  of  Christ — that  at  the  hour 
of  death  He  is  a  "  Friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a 
brother." [After  joyous  answers  to  some  pre- 
vious questions,]  I  asked,  Are  you  not  afraid  to  die,  and 


LETTERS  TO  M.  211 

be  laid  in  the  cold  and  silent  grave  ?  "  No,"  he  replied ; 
"  Jesus  was  there  before  me,  and  made  it  soft  as  downy 
pillows.  He  is  my  own  dear  Saviour :  He  will  be  with 
me."  And  then  turning  to  his  brother,  who  is  a  bad  boy, 
he  said,  "  Brother !  brother !  come  to  Jesus :  let  me 
carry  the  news  to  heaven  that  you  are  going  to  love 
Christ.  Go  back  to  the  Sabbath  school,  go  back  to 
church;  and  then,  dear  brother,  I  will  die  happy!"  I 
have  read  of  triumphal,  peaceful  death-beds,  but  never 
did  I  see  any  equal  to  that  little  boy,  only  thirteen  years 
of  age.  "  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye 
think  not,  the  Son  of  man  cometh."  "Watch  and 
pray." 


Sabbath  evening,  February  i,  1857. 

I  have  just  returned  from  the  death-bed  of  that  little 
boy.  Oh  that  you  had  been  there  !  He  offered  such  a 
prayer  as  I  never  expected  to  hear  on  earth. 

In  your  last  note  you  said  you  "had  succeeded  in 
drowning  your  thoughts,  but  the  cloud  was  still  there." 
Yes,  and  it  will  remain  there.  Go  where  you  will,  your 
guilty  conscience  will  still  reprove  you.  Your  only  rest, 
only  safety,  only  hope,  only  salvation,  is  by  going  to 
Jesus,  casting  yourself  a  guilty  sinner  at  His  feet,  and 

crying,  "  Lord,  save  me,  I  perish." Try  not  to 

sear  conscience,  but  listen  to  its  reproofs  :  it  is  the  voice 
of  God  warning  you.  God  says,  "  Him  that  cometh  to 
me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  What  a  promise  !  Oh, 
embrace  it  ere  it  be  too  late.  That  the  blessed  Jesus, 
the  Lamb  of  Calvary,  may  come  and  dwell  in  your  heart, 
is  ever  my  earnest  prayer. 


212  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

February,  3,  1857. 

I  begin  to  feel  more  resigned  now.     After 

much  prayer,  I  feel  that  God  will  do  with  me  what  He 
thinks  best ;  and  I  will  place  everything  in  His  hands.* 
He  has  been  with  His  people  since  the  creation,  and  He 
will  not  forsake  me.  He  will  hear  my  prayer  for  you. 
Write  me  soon  and  tell  me  if  you  arc  still  trying  to  come 
to  Jesus — still  knocking  at  the  gate  of  heaven. 


February  7,  1857. 

I  was  so  glad  this  evening  when  you  promised 

me  you  would  try  and  serve  Christ.  The  promise  to  me 
was  trifling  compared  with  the  promise  to  your  Saviour. 
I  beg  of  you  do  not  break  it.  I  entreat  you,  as  you 
value  your  own  soul,  and  eternal  happiness,  to  hold  on 
to  it.  Could  you  look  into  heaven  this  evening  you 
would  see  angels  rejoicing  that  you  had  resolved  to  cease 
to  be  a  votary  of  this  fleeting,  deceitful  world,  and  to 
look  to  Jesus  as  your  only  hope 

Do  you  think  about  connecting  yourself  with  the 
Church?  It  is  an  important  step.  Come,  and  Christ 
will  receive  you,  though  you  were  the  greatest  sinner.  Do 
not  desire  the  fashions  and  gaieties  of  this  world  :  they 
may  please  for  a  time,  but  the  dregs  of  the  cup  are 
bitter — even  death  spiritual 

*  His  settled  convictions  were  that  his  life  would  be  short 


LETTERS  TO  M.  213 

February  21,  1857. 

All  He  asks  of  you  is  to  give  Him  your  heart. 

Satan  is  also  applying;  but  how  different  the  rewards  they 
offer!  Christ  offers  heaven  and  eternal  happiness :  Satan, 
hell  and  eternal  misery.  One  or  the  other  you  must 
choose.  Oh  let  it  be  Jesus :  throw  yourself  upon  His  mercy, 
and  He  will  not  be  unfaithful  to  His  charge.  I  know  it 
will  be  a  little  hard  at  first ;  but  oh  make  the  sacrifice. 
Christ  says  of  those  who  are  his  children,  that  they  shall 
'•'shine  forth  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father;" 
and  so  they  shall  "ever  be  with  the  Lord."  "All  things 
are  theirs,"  whether  "  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or 
things  present,  or  things  to  come;  all  are  theirs,  and  they 
are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's."  Here  are  promises, 
among  the  thousands  with  which  the  word  of  God  is 
teeming :  grasp  them ;  they  were  intended  for  you 

In  serving  Christ,  a  fountain  of  real,  pure  pleasure, 
heretofore  unknown,  will  be  opened,  by  forming  your 
heart  for  the  enjoyment  of  delights  far  superior  to  those 
Of  sense.  In  communion  with  God,  in  meditation  upon 
the  divine  promises  and  love,  the  Christian  has  pleasures 
which  he  would  not  exchange  for  all  the  pleasures  of  the 
world.  Even  your  tears  of  penitential  grief  would  afford 
you  more  real  pleasure  than  the  world  finds  in  noisy 
mirth.  . 


Februat-y  28,  1857. 

You  say  "  your  heart  is  not  fit  to  love  Jesus — 

you  cannot  love  Him."      So  much  the  more  necessity 
that  you  should  have  that  heart  regenerated  as  quickly  as 


214  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

possible.  Do  not  go  to  Him  proudly  and  haughtily,  or 
placing  any  confidence  in  your  own  good  deeds.  If  you 
do,  you  will  never  find  Him — no,  never.  You  must  come 
humbly,  earnestly,  devotedly,  and  prayerfully.  Let  your- 
self have  no  peace  until  you  have  made  secure  the  salva- 
tion of  your  immortal  soul.  Just  imagine  the  worth  of  a 
soul !  The  Bible  says,  "  What  profit  hath  a  man  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul1?  or  what 
would  he  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul?"  Here,  you 
see,  God  values  a  soul  more  than  all  this  world.  When 
you  are  laid  upon  a  bed  of  death  will  not  all  your  care 
be  to  save  your  soul  1  Even  angels,  those  pure  and  holy 
beings,  take  a  deep  interest  in  your  salvation.  "  There  is 
joy  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth."  Consider, 
that  for  your  neglected  soul  the  great  God,  in  the  person 
of  His  Son,  descended  to  this  earth,  endured  all  manner 
of  pain  and  suffering,  even  the  agonizing  death  of  the 
cross;  all  to  save,  not  your  body — that  was  not  worth  it, 
but  to  save  your  soul ;  yes,  your  soul.  If  Jesus  Christ 
thought  your  soul  so  precious,  why  do  you  slight  it1?  You 
are  studying  hard  to  get  knowledge :  the  time  is  near  at 
hand  when  you  must  leave  all :  you  are  fast  hastening  to 
the  judgment-seat  of  God — your  soul  is  hurrying  to  Heaven 
or  Hell.  Some  time  is  no  time.  Remember,  the  longer 
you  put  off  attending  to  the  interests  of  your  soul,  the 
harder  it  becomes.  . 


March  19,  1857. 

I  have  been  head  and  ears  into  the  chemistry 

ever  since  Monday,  working  till  one  or  two  every  morning : 
and  I  have  succeeded  very  well  so  far — met  with  no 


LETTERS  TO  M.  215 

accidents  worth  naming;  the  sum  total  of  damages  has 
been  a  coat  and  a  pair  of  pants  ruined.  I  find  it  a  most 
delightful  study,  not  only  in  practice,  but  also  in  the 
theoretical  or  scientific  part. 


March  24,  1857. 

The  pleasures  of  this  world  may,  and  do  please 

for  a  while;  but  would  you  have  real  happiness,  true 
peace  of  mind,  nowhere  will  you  find  it  but  in  Jesus — 
in  being  a  Christian.  Christ  will  be  a  friend  to  you 
everywhere.  When  all  is  dark  around,  with  the  eagle  eye 
of  faith  you  can  pierce  the  clouds,  and  see  Him  smiling 
on  you.  That  will  send  a  thrill  of  joy  through  your  soul, 
such  as  you  never  can  experience  while  you  live  in  the 
world.  Why,  then,  why  will  you  any  longer  reject  your 
Saviour1?  Why  will  you  not  come  and  throw  yourself  at 
His  feet?  He  will  receive  and  purify  your  now  sinful 
heart.  Think  of  that  woman  who  died  at  the  opera. 
She  went  there  as  well  as  you.  She  died!  You  are 
spared !  It  might  have  been  you.  I  beg  of  you  to  come 
to  Christ. 


April  10,  1857. 

But  then,  have  I  not  the  promises  of  God  that 

He  will  care  for  His  children1?  Am  I  one  of  them? 
Professedly,  I  am.  Truly,  I  trust  I  am.  God  often  sends 
trouble  on  His  children  for  their  good,  to  try  their  faith  ; 
and  by  His  grace  I  will  continue  in  His  faith,  steadfast 
unto  the  end.  I  would  sooner  lay  my  head  upon  the 


216  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

block  than  forsake  Jesus.     Won't  you  live  for  Him  too? 
He  10 ill  love  you. 

True  friends  are  worth  more  than  all  the  rest  of  the 
world.  The  world's  friends  are  like  the  bubbles  on  a 
lake — stay  near  you  for  a  while — the  least  disturbance, 
they  vanish, 


April^,  1857. 

After  much  trouble  I  have  obtained  some  splendid 

specimens  of  gold,  silver,  and  copper.  I  had  to  heat 

them  for  fourteen  hours  in  a  white  hot  furnace,  nearly 
roasting  the  people  in  the  house. 


May  i,  1857. 

I  was  looking  over  "Alone"  for  a  little  while. 

There  is  something  melancholy  to  me  in  that  word  alone. 
But  M.,  you  need  never  be  alone.  Christ  offers  to  be  to 
you  a  friend.  I  pray  earnestly  to  God  that  you  may 
never  be  alone — that  when  all  is  dark  and  dreary  in  the 
outward  world,  you  may  look  above  and  within,  and  find 
a  Friend.  I  have  very  few  friends — real  friends ;  but  I 
trust  I  have  Jesus  as  mine.  He  has  promised  to  do  for 
iis  even  more  than  we  ask:  I  have  asked  Him  to  make 
you  His  own;  and  I  am  sure  He  will  do  it. 


May  15,  1857.     2.30  A.M. 

I  cannot  go  to  sleep.      My  mind  has  been 

working  itself  up  for  the  last  two  or  three  days,  until  now 


LETTERS  TO  M.  *,, 

it  has  reached  the  very  pitch — I  must  say  it — of  torture. 
My  brain  fairly  burns.  The  thought  that  I  have  lived  so 
long  and  done  almost  nothing,  and  that  God  will  call  me 
to  account,  makes  me  shudder.  I  know  He  loves  me. 
I  know  I  am  one  of  His  children.  Would  that  I  were 
what  I  ought  to  be!  Would  that  you  were  a  lamb  of 
God !  I  feel  as  though  the  Devil  himself  were  trying  to 
take  possession  of  my  heart ;  but  with  the  help  of  God  I 
will  resist  him. 


June  i,  1857. 

Here  I  am  in  my  sanctum  all  alone.  With  my  window 
open,  looking  across  that  lovely  garden,  my  thoughts 
have  been  wandering  far  away  from  earth  toward  that 
blessed  home  prepared,  I  trust,  for  you  and  me  in  heaven. 
As  I  look  upon  those  stars  that  twinkle  in  the  ebon  vault 
of  heaven;  as  I  watch  that  pale  moon  as  she  wanders 
through  the  misty  clouds;  as  I  feel  that  cooling  breeze 
wafting  sweet  odours  from  nature's  own  inexhaustible 
storehouse,  that  line  of  Bishop  Heber's, 

"  And  only  man  is  vile," 

comes  to  me  with  redoubled  force.  Man,  for  whom  all 
these  beauteous  things  were  made — ^and  can  it  be  that  he 
has  fallen  1  Alas !  too  true. 


SPRING  BROOK,  August y>,  1857. 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  walk  alone  in  the  woods, 
and  rarely,  if  ever,  have  I  felt  such  a  desire  to  leave  this 
world,  and  go  to  that  which  is  far  better.  Everything 


218  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

around  showed  me  the  hand  of  a  loving  God.  Every 
thing  at  work.  Nature's  vast  laboratory  never  at  rest. 
The  unwearied  sun  starting  from  his  chamber  in  the  east, 
and  rejoicing  to  run  his  race;  the  busy  swarm  of  insect 
life ;  the  birds  exuberant  in  flight  and  song,  pouring  forth 
their  hymn  of  praise  to  the  great  Creator — all  at  work, 
and  all  happy.  They  all  seemed  to  say  to  me,  "  What 
are  you  doing]  What  are  you  living  for?"  It  opened 
an  unexplored  avenue  of  thought  in  my  mind,  and  touched 
a  new  chord  in  my  heart.  What  am  I  living  for?  If  all 
these  inferior  beings  have  an  end  in  view;  if  they  all 
labour,  how  much  greater  must  be  the  end,  and  how 
much  greater  the  labour,  destined  for  me !  God  did  not 
place  me  in  the  world  for  nothing.  We  have  each  one 
a  great  work  to  perform.  Our  reward  is  eternal  life.  We 
must  work.  The  glorious  Creator,  who  never  slumbers 
or  sleeps,  gives  us  an  example  of  the  dignity  of  labour. 
Labour  is  noble  and  holy.  We  must  labour  to  win  souls 
to  Jesus.  I  feel  within  me  that  part  of  my  labour  is  to 
show  you  the  way  of  salvation 


1313  SPRUCE  STREET,  December  7,  1857. 

Although  yesterday  was  so  unfavourable,  still 

I  opened  my  little  school  with  eighteen;  which  number 
was  increased  to  twenty-five  in  the  afternoon.  I  am  well 
satisfied ;  indeed  I  feel  assured  that  God  will  prosper  it, 
if  I  work  well  my  part.  To  Him,  and  to  Him  alone, 
must  I  look  for  success  in  this  important  enterprise.  As 
our  afternoon  sessions  were  closing  I  was  waited  upon  by 
several  men  and  women,  who  came  to  ask  us  if  we  would 


LETTERS  TO  M.  219- 

not  have  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  evening.  We  agreed 
to  do  so.  And  although  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents, 
what  was  my  surprise,  on  going  there,  to  find  nearly  fifty 
men  and  women,  old  and  young,  waiting  for  us !  Our 
room  was  too  small  to  hold  them,  as  many  were  obliged 
to  go  away.  We  had  a  delightful  meeting.  I  spoke  to 
them  for  about  half  an  hour,  and  I  never  before  felt  what 
I  said  as  I  did  then.  May  God  bless  us.  This  is  the 
kind  of  missionary  operations  that  I  like ;  beginning  at 
home,  in  our  own  city,  endeavouring  to  exalt  a  race  as 
good  by  nature  as  we  are,  but  who  have  been  trodden 
down  and  oppressed  by  their  fellow-creatures 


1313  SPRUCE  STREET,  December  22,  1857. 

I  feel  quite  anxious  to  know  how  you  suc- 
ceeded in  Sabbath-school  teaching  yesterday.  Remember, 
a  solemn  and  important  duty  rests  upon  you.  To  you 
are  committed  those  immortal  souls,  to  train  them  up  for 
eternity !  I  hope  you  have  entered  the  work  trusting,  not 
in  your  own  strength,  but  in  that  of  promised  grace.  You 
might,  in  view  of  all  this,  be  inclined,  as  I  was,  to  say, 
"  I  am  not  fit  to  engage  in  so  important  a  work."  Yes, 
you  are.  God  has  said,  "  My  grace  shall  be  sufficient  for 
thee."  Place  all  your  confidence  in  Him.  If  you  ever 
expect  to  succeed,  you  must  make  your  class  the  subject 
of  constant,  earnest  prayer ;  and  if  you  do  this,  God  will 
reward  you  bountifully.  Go  on,  then,  in  this  great  work, 
and  may  God  grant  you  His  grace  "  never  to  weary  in 
well-doing." 

I  had  fifty-five  children  yesterday ;  and  in  the  evening, 
as  usual,  my  room  was  crowded.  Two  gentlemen,  who 


220  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

had  promised  me  to  address  the  meeting,  disappointed 
me,  so  that  I  had  to  do  all  the  talking ;  and  never  do  I 
feel  the  Spirit  of  God  with  as  much  power  as  I  do  then. 
I  feel  as  though  the  salvation  of  a  soul  depended  upon 
my  feeble  efforts;  and  gladly  would  I  thus  devote  my  life- 
time of  Sabbaths,  if  I  could  be  the  means  of  turning  one 
sinner  from  the  error  of  his  ways — of  leading  one  soul  to 
seek  for  an  interest  in  Jesus 


1313  SPRUCE  STREET,  December  31,  1857. 

Before  you  and  I  meet  again,  another  year  will 

have  been  numbered  with  eternity.  And  what  account 
will  it  bear  of  us  to  the  throne  of  God?  How  many 
of  its  Sabbaths  have  we  mis-spent !  How  many  of 
its  privileges  have  we  neglected !  If  we  could  live  over 
1857,  how  much  better  would  we  do  it !  But  we  cannot. 
Time,  ever  rolling  onward,  is  like  a  mighty  scroll  ever 
unfolding  and  refolding.  But  if  we  cannot  begin  again 
the  present  year,  we  can  do  better  in  1858;  and  let  such 
be  our  determination— that  by  the  help  of  God  we  will 
in  the  coming  year  live  a  life  of  more  zeal  and  more 
earnestness  in  the  cause  of  our  Divine  Saviour.  We  have 
done  nothing  to  what  we  ought  to  have  done;  and  were 
God  to  summon  us  to  our  final  account,  what  answer 
could  we  make  for  all  that  we  have  enjoyed  1 


February  i,  1858. 

I  feel  very  strangely  to-night — all  out  of  sorts, 

and  angry  with  myself.     My  brain  burns,  and  my  nervous 
system  is  all  unstrung.     Why1?     I  cannot  tell. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  221 

As  I  look  abroad  over  the  sea  of  life,  and  see  those 
who  started  in  life  with  prospects  as  bright  as  any  I  have 
before  me,  tossed  about,  their  hopes  and  fortunes  lost, 
and  themselves  a  still  more  melancholy  wreck — I  often 
say  to  myself,  Where  at  length  shall  this  poor  mortal  frame 
rest  in  peace  1  What  difficulties  are  in  store  for  me  ? 
How  shall  this  aching  heart  be  torn  and  shattered,  or 
what  anguish  and  bitterness  shall  this  mind  undergo? 
When  I  think  of  all  this,  my  soul  shrinks  within  me,  and 
says,  "  Let  me  go  now,  and  flee  from  all  this."  And  then 
I  hear  the  Spirit  of  my  God  saying,  "  Fear  not,  for  I  am 
with  thee  ;"- — then  would  my  soul  leap  forth,  and  press 
eagerly  to  the  conflict 


1313  SPRUCE  STREET,  March  16.  1858. 
Sabbath  evening. 

Although  I  do  not  think  it  exactly  proper  to  write 
letters  on  this  evening,  yet  I  cannot  refrain  from  writing 
you  before  retiring.  What  I  write  you  now  has  been 
pressing  on  my  mind  for  several  days  past. 

Whilst  I  have  attended  the  daily  prayer-meetings  with 
great  pleasure,  and  have  heard  with  delight  that  many  have 
been  turned  from  the  error  of  their  ways  to  the  knowledge 
and  service  of  God;  and  whilst  I  joy  in  believing  that  God 
has  made  me  one  of  His  own,  still  there  is  one  thing  that 
weighs  upon  my  soul  and  makes  me  sad — it  is  the  thought, 
alas,  I  fear  too  true,  that  you  are  not  of  the  fold  of  Christ 
— that  you  arc  a  stranger  to  that  peace  and  joy  which 
surpass  all  understanding — that  while  God  is  pouring  out 
His  Holy  Spirit  in  refreshing  showers  upon  the  souls  of 


222  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

many,  you  remain  untouched,  still  indifferent  in  regard 
to  your  soul.  Whilst  I  hear  that  this  one  and  that 
one  has  been  rescued  from  sin,  shall  I  not  hear  the  wel- 
come news  that  you  are  among  the  redeemed,  and  have 
chosen  that  better  part  which  cannot  be  taken  from  you  1 
Then  would  I  feel  happy  in  the  thought  that  you  are  a 
participator  of  the  same  precious  promises  with  myself, 
and  that  my  many  and  earnest  prayers  have  been  an- 
swered. 

As  I  was  listening  this  morning  to  a  sermon  from  the 
text,  "Am  I  my  brother's  keeper?"  and  as  the  speaker 
went  on  to  show  how  every  man  is  our  brother,  I  thought 
to  myself,  Have  I  done  my  duty  towards  M.  1  Have  I 
done  all  I  ought  and  am  able  to  do  to  lead  her  to  Christ1? 
My  conscience  reproved  me,  and  told  me  I  had  fallen 
short  in  my  duty 

Why  are  you  out  of  the  fold  of  Christ  1  and  why  are 
you  a  stranger  to  His  people  ?  Has  heaven  and  its 
eternal  happiness  no  attractions  for  you  1  Has  Chris- 
tianity no  beauty  which  you  can  admire  and  love  1  Has 
Jesus,  who  died  for  you,  taken  such  little  hold  upon  your 
heart  that  you  are  unwilling  to  devote  yourself  to  His 
service]  Has  temporal  and  eternal  misery  no  hatred 
from  you  1  Have  the  communion  of  the  saints  on  earth, 
and  the  still  more  blessed  happiness  of  the  redeemed  in 
glory,  no  attraction  for  you  1  Why  then  do  you  remain 
any  longer  on  the  side  of  Satan  ?  Why  will  you  refuse 
the  offer  of  salvation1?  The  time  is  fast  approaching  when 
you  will  regret  your  folly — when  you  will  be  in  anguish 
to  think  of  the  many  offers  you  have  slighted.  Come, 
and  no  longer  delay,  while  the  door  of  mercy  is  open  and 
the  lamp  of  hope  is  burning  brightly.  Come,  as  you 


LETTERS  TO  M.  223 

value  your  temporal  and  eternal  happiness.  I  entreat 
you  take  Him  to  be  your  God,  and  all  will  be  well  for 
time  and  eternity. 


1313  SPRUCE  STREET,  March  22,  1858. 

I  have  just  returned  from  my  Sabbath-school  evening 
prayer-meeting,  which  was  large  and  intensely  interesting. 
I  never  before  spoke  with  such  interest  as  I  did  this 
evening.  Sometimes  I  could  hardly  restrain  the  tears 
from  gushing  down  my  cheeks.  My  subject  was  the 
three  banners — "  Jehovah-jireh,"  "  Jehovah-nissi,"  and 
" Jehovah-shalom  ;" — "The  Lord  will  provide,"  "The 
Lord  is  our  banner,"  and  "  The  Lord  send  peace."  Who 
can  tell  what  great  things  God  may  accomplish  by  our 
humble  instrumentality1?  Eternity  alone  will  reveal  the 
results. 

How  rejoiced  was  I  yesterday  when  you  told  me 
you  would  come  out  upon  the  Lord's  side,  to  be  for 
Him,  and  not  for  another !  I  feel  that  God  is  an- 
swering my  prayers.  For  a  year  and  a  half  have  I 
earnestly  pled  with  God  on  your  behalf;  and  I  knew  He 
would  hear  me.  I  knew  it,  for  He  is  the  hearer  of 
prayer.  Often,  when  I  have  desired  to  speak  with  you 
in  regard  to  your  soul,  my  tongue  has  refused  to  give 
utterance  ;  but  what  I  could  not  do  in  talking  I  did  in 
praying.  God,  I  believe,  has  heard  me;  and  from  my 
inmost  soul  I  thank  and  praise  Him  for  it — that  you, 
who  are  as  dear  to  me  as  my  own  life,  have  been  brought 
to  see  the  error  of  your  ways,  and  have  turned  unto  God. 
Do  not,  then,  any  longer  delay,  but  come  at  once  and 
15 


224  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

dedicate  yourself  to  God :  come  out,  and  be  not  ashamed 
of  Jesus,  your  crucified  but  now  risen  Redeemer;  and 
then  when  we  are  separated,*  if  in  the  providence  of  God 
we  should  never  meet  on  earth  again,  we  may  meet 
around  the  throne  of  God  on  high,  never  to  be  severed. 

Let  me  entreat  you  to  read  a  portion  of  your  Bible  every 
morning  and  evening:  the  value  which  this  will  be  to  you 
cannot  be  estimated.  I  have  carried  it  out  with  great 
success.  And  may  God  by  His  Holy  Spirit  give  you 
"joy  and  peace  in  believing."  May  you  have  that 
"peace  which  passeth  all  understanding:"  "And  I  pray 
God  that  your  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body,  be  pre- 
served blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ." 

Enclosed  I  send  you  a  copy,  or  rather  form  of  Self- 
dedication.  I  have  read  it  over  carefully  and  prayerfully, 
and  have  this  day,  in  an  act  of  writing,  given  myself  away 
to  God.  I  would  advise  you  to  follow  the  same  plan. 
It  is  admirable.  Copy  it,  and  affix  your  name  to  the 
document;  then  when  you  are  tempted  to  evil  you  can 
go  to  this  and  say,  "  I  cannot  sin,  for  here  is  the  agree- 
ment in  which  I  have  given  myself  away.". . . . 

[The  form  of  Dedication  (by  Philip  Doddridge,  D.D.) 
alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  letter,  and  adopted  by  William, 
was  found  after  his  death,  among  his  carefully-preserved 
papers,  beautifully  written  out,  and  signed  in  his  bold, 
dashing  handwriting,  as  though  resolution  to  keep  his 
vow  was  marked  on  every  letter  of  his  name.  For  the 
benefit  of  any  of  his  young  friends  who  may  feel  it  a  duty 

*  M.  and  her  sister  were  making  their  preparations  fora  two  years  tour  through 
Europe. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  225 

to  make  a  similar  act  of  self-consecration,  and  who  may 
not  find  it  convenient  to  procure  a  copy,  it  is  inserted 
here.] 

DEDICATION. 

Eternal  and  ever-blessed  God,  I  desire  to  present  myself  before 
Thee  with  the  deepest  humiliation  and  abasement  of  soul,  sensible 
how  unworthy  such  a  sinful  worm  is  to  appear  before  the  holy 
Majesty  of  heaven,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords;  and 
especially  upon  such  an  occasion  as  this,  even  to  dedicate  myself, 
without  reserve,  to  Thee.  But  the  scheme  and  plan  is  Thine 
own.  Thine  infinite  condescension  hath  offered  it  by  Thy  Son,  and 
Thy  grace  hath  inclined  my  heart  to  accept  it. 

I  come,  therefore,  acknowledging  myself  to  have  been  a  great 
offender — smiting  upon  my  breast,  and  saying  with  the  humble 
publican,  "God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner."  I  come,  invited  by 
the  name  of  Thy  Son,  and  wholly  trusting  in  His  perfect  righteous- 
ness, entreating  that,  for  His  sake,  Thou  wilt  be  merciful  to  my 
unrighteousness,  and  wilt  no  more  remember  my  sins. 

Receive,  I  beseech  Thee,  Thy  revolted  creature,  who  is  now  con- 
vinced of  Thy  right  to  him,  and  desires  nothing  so  much  as  that  he 
may  be  Thine. 

This  day  do  I,  with  the  utmost  solemnity,  surrender  myself  to 
Thee. 

I  renounce  all  former  lords  who  have  had  dominion  over  me ;  and 
I  consecrate  to  Thee  all  that  I  am,  and  all  that  I  have ;  the  faculties 
of  my  mind,  the  members  of  my  body,  my  worldly  possessions,  my 
time,  and  my  influence  over  others, — to  be  all  used  entirely  for  Thy 
glory,  and  steadfastly  employed  in  obedience  to  Thy  commands,  as 
long  as  Thou  continuest  me  in  life ;  with  an  ardent  desire  and 
humble  resolution  to  continue  Thine  through  the  endless  ages  of 
eternity,  ever  holding  myself  in  an  attentive  posture  to  observe  the 
first  intimations  of  Thy  will,  and  ready  to  spring  forward  with  zeal 
and  joy  to  the  immediate  execution  of  it. 

To  Thy  direction  also  I  resign  myself,  and  all  I  am  and  have,  to 
be  disposed  of  by  Thee  in  such  a  manner  as  Thou  shalt  in  Thine 
infinite  wisdom  judge  most  subservient'  to  the  purposes  of  Thy  glory. 


226  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

To  Thee  I  leave  the  management  of  all  events,  and  say,  without 
reserve,  " Not  my  will,  but  Thine  be  done;"  rejoicing  with  a  loyal 
heart  in  Thine  unlimited  government,  as  what  ought  to  be  the  de- 
light of  the  whole  rational  creation. 

Use  me,  O  Lord,  I  beseech  Thee,  as  an  instrument  of  Thy 
service.  Number  me  among  Thy  peculiar  people.  Let  me  be 
washed  in  the  blood  of  Thy  dear  Son.  Let  me  be  clothed  with 
His  righteousness.  Let  me  be  sanctified  by  His  Spirit.  Transform 
me  more  and  more  into  His  image.  Impart  to  me,  through  Him, 
all  needful  influences  of  Thy  purifying,  cheering,  and  consoling 
Spirit  And  let  my  life  be  spent  under  those  influences,  and  in  the 
light  of  Thy  gracious  countenance,  as  my  Father  and  my  God. 

And  when  the  solemn  hour  of  death  comes,  may  I  remember  Thy 
Covenant,  "  well  ordered  in  all  things,  and  sure,  as  all  my  salvation 
and  all  my  desire"  (2  Sam.  xxiii.  5),  though  every  hope  and  en- 
joyment is  perishing ;  and  do  Thou,  O  Lord,  remember  it  too. 

Look  down  with  pity,  O  my  heavenly  Father,  on  thy  languishing, 
dying  child.  Embrace  me  in  Thine  everlasting  arms.  Put  strength 
and  confidence  into  my  departing  spirit,  and  receive  it  to  the  abode 
of  them  that  sleep  in  Jesus,  peacefully  and  joyfully  to  wait  the 
accomplishment  of  Thy  great  promise  to  all  Thy  people,  even  that  of 
a  glorious  resurrection,  and  of  eternal  happiness  in  Thy  heavenly 
presence. 

And  if  any  surviving  friend  should,  when  I  am  in  clustr  meet  with 
this  memorial  of  my  solemn  transactions  with  Thee,  may  he  make 
the  engagement  his  own;  and  do  Thou  graciously  admit  him  to  par- 
take in  all  the  blessedness  of  Thy  covenant,  through  Jesus,  the  great 
Mediator  of  it,  to  whom,  with  Thee,  O  Father,  and  Thy  Holy 
Spirit,  be  everlasting  praises.  Amen. 

(Signed)         WM.  D.  STUART. 

March.  22,  1858. 


March  24,  1858. 

You  have  made  me  feel  very  happy  in  the  sen- 
timents you  have  expressed — that  you  desire  to  become 
a  child  of  God,  and  to  be  enlisted  among  his  people.  Be 


LETTERS  TO  M.  227 

assured  that  if  you  seek,  you  shall  find;  God  has  pro- 
mised us  that  we  shall  not  seek  His  face  in  vain.  No ! 
He  bids  us  come.  He  invites  us  to  partake  of  His 
mercy,  and  offers  us  freely  His  salvation.  He  commands 
us  to  serve  Him ;  and  He  holds  out  to  us  a  great  reward, 
which  is  nothing  less  than  heaven  with  all  its  eternal 
blessings.  Fear  not,  then,  that  God  will  leave  you  in 
your  sins.  All  you  are  required  to  do  is  to  have  faith — 
to  come  unto  Him  with  child-like  confidence  and  sim- 
plicity, casting  all  your  care  upon  Him;  and  He  will  say 
to  you,  as  to  her  of  old,  "  Daughter,  thy  sins  are  forgiven 
thee."  But  you  must  pray.  Prayer  is  the  great  channel 
through  which  our  wants  are  made  known  to  God. 
Earnestly  make  known  all  your  requests  unto  God,  and 
expect  an  answer.  Let  your  prayers  proceed  from  your 
inmost  soul,  and  they  will  reach  unto  the  ears  of  the 
Lord  of  sabaoth. 

Oh,  how  thrice  precious  is  the  hallowed  name  of  Jesus ! 
The  thought  that  He  descended  from  His  heavenly 
home,  and  suffered  and  died  for  me! 

"  Love  so  amazing,  so  divine, 
Demands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  all." 

That  I  should  have  been  the  object  of  His  love — that  for 
me  He  was  reviled  and  mocked — all  for  me!  On  whom 
could  I,  then,  cast  myself  with  more  reliance  than  on 
Him?  In  Him  I  place  all  my  trust. 

"  I  know  that  safe  with  Him  remains. 

Protected  by  His  power, 
What  I've  committed  to  His  trust, 
Till  the  decisive  hour." 

And  He  did  all  this  for  you.  Press  on,  then,  in  your 
Christian  course,  and  my  most  earnest  prayers  go  with 


228  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

you.  Though  you  may  be  many  miles  away — though 
oceans  may  roll  between  us — yet  the  separation  will 
but  fasten  the  ties  of  love  with  which  we  are  bound 
more  firmly,  and  bind  you  closer  to  my  heart.  And  if, 
in  God's  providence,  either  of  us  should  be  called  to 
heaven,  we  will  meet  beyond  the  swellings  of  Jordan, 
upon  that  happy  shore 

"  Where  death-divided  friends  at  last, 
Shall  meet  to  part  no  more." 

There  is  a  verse  of  Scripture  which  to  me  is  one  of 
peculiar  consolation.  It  is  this — "Fear  thou  not;  for  I 
am  with  thee:  be  not  dismayed;  for  I  am  thy  God:  I 
will  strengthen  thee ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee ;  yea,  I  will 
uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness" 
(Isa.  xli.  10).  Could  anything  be  more  consoling  than 
this?  From  whom,  but  from  God,  could  or  would  such 
a  soothing  command  come?  Make  up  your  mind,  care- 
fully and  with  much  prayer,  that  when  another  com- 
munion season  shall  have  arrived,  you  will  profess  pub- 
licly the  name  of  Jesus :  but  first  profess  him  in  your  own 
heart,  and  ask  for  grace  and  strength  to  adorn  your  pro- 
fession ;  and  then  all  will  be  well  with  you  for  this  life 
and  eternity.  Though  the  clouds  of  trouble  and  afflic- 
tion may  gather  around  you  ever  so  heavily,  and  threaten 
to  crush  you,  you  will  hear  the  voice  of  Jesus  in  the 
midst  of  the  storm  calling  to  you  in  accents  full  of  ten- 
derness and  compassion,  "  Fear  not;  it  is  I."  Then  will 
your  soul  rise  triumphantly  over  all  earthly  calamities, 
and  enjoy  a  sweet  foretaste  of  the  Sabbath  of  rest  pre- 
pared for  believers  in  glory. 

I    am  very  glad  you  have  adopted  the   plan  of  the 


LETTERS  TO  M.  229 

Dedication.  I  am  sure  it  will  be  of  service  to  you.  My 
heart  is  so  full  that  I  cannot  empty  it  in  writing — full  of 
love  to  God,  of  zeal  in  his  service,  and  of  a  determina- 
tion to  live  a  better  life. 

"  Oh  for  a  closer  walk  with  God." 


April  19,  1858. 

Be  steadfast.     Never  allow  the  flame  of  divine 

love  to  burn  low  on  the  altar  of  your  heart.  Never  grow 
indifferent  in  God's  service,  but  rather  let  every  day  of 
your  life  witness  increased  devotion  and  earnestness  in 
His  cause.  Continually  subject  yourself  to  self-examina- 
tion. Let  the  Bible  be  your  constant  study;  and  often 
be  found  bending  the  knee  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Oh, 
if  a  day  in  God's  house,  an  hour  at  his  table,  is  so  lovely, 
what  will  eternity  be]  What  will  it  be  when  we  enter 
into  that  joy,  and  bathe  in  those  rivers  of  eternal  plea- 
sure] Let  our  souls,  then,  pant  for  those  fountains 
whence  issue  these  refreshing  streams — that  ocean  of 
eternal  love  into  which  they  all  flow 


May  n,  1858. 

I  trust  that  by  this  time  you  have  succeeded, 

at  least  in  a  measure,  in  ridding  your  mind  of  those 
doubts  and  difficulties  with  which  you  have  had  to  con- 
tend. They  are  the  hand  of  God  trying  your  faith,  con- 
vincing you  of  your  weakness,  and  of  His  all-sufficiency. 
Ever  be  looking  to  Jesus :  keep  your  eye  firmly  fixed  on 
Him,  as  does  the  mariner  upon  the  magnetic  needle 


230  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

which  guides  him  over  the  troubled  ocean.  You  want 
faith — confidence  in  God;  pray  that  you  may  have  it  in 
rich  abundance ;  and  be  assured  that  He  will  give  it  to  you. 
You  cannot  imagine  the  happiness  which  your  decision 
has  given  me.  It  has  increased  my  faith  to  think  that 
God  has  answered  my  prayers  on  your  behalf.  I  do  not 
now  feel  that  going  abroad  will  be  hurtful  to  you.  God 
will  go  with  and  guide  you,  and  will  direct  your  foot- 
steps. 


May  25,  1858. 

....  You  are  about  to  take  a  very  solemn  step,  and 
one  which,  I  am  sure,  you  have  well  considered.  Have 
no  confidence  in  yourself;  trust  not  your  own  strength, 
but  rather  look  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  your 
faith.  I  know  that  you  have  many  doubts  and  trials ;  but 
you  have  a  Friend  able  and  ready  to  save.  "  Cast  all 
your  care  upon  Him  ;"  trust  Him  with  all :  He  will  make 
the  way  clear ;  He  will  comfort  you  by  His  Spirit's  pres- 
ence, and  give  you  all  necessary  grace.  Confide  in  Him 
for  time  and  for  eternity.  Hold  often  silent  communion 
with  your  God,  and  remember  me  when  at  a  throne  of 
grace,  for  no  one  needs  your  prayers  more  than  I. 


SPRING  BROOK,  July  25,  1858. 

Again  the  holy  Sabbath,  in  all  its  loveliness,  has  re- 
turned ;  the  busy  world  is  at  rest,  and  men  are  engaged 
in  seeking  for  that  treasure  which  is  laid  up  in  heaven  : 
many  are  searching  for  those  waters  of  eternal  life,  of 


LETTERS  TO  M.  231 

\ 

which  if  a  man  drink  he  shall  never  thirst ;  and  for  that 
bread  which  cometh  down  from  heaven. 

Though  we  are  separated  *  by  many  miles,  our  prayers 
this  day  have  reached  the  ear  of  our  common  Father ; 
and  I  trust  a  blessing  has  been  poured  down  upon  each 
of  us.  What  our  blessed  Saviour  promised  to  his  disciples 
ere  He  departed  from  them,  He  has  also  promised  to  us,  if 
we  ask  in  faith.  Oh,  how  distrustful,  how  doubting  we  are ! 
Although  we  have  the  direct  promise  of  God  that  asking 
we  shall  receive,  yet  we  doubt  it ;  or,  what  is  worse,  we  do 
not  think  it  worth  asking. 

I  have  not  as  yet  felt  that  God  has  called  me  to  be  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel,  although  I  have  prayed,  "  Lord, 
what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  1"  and  yet  I  feel  that  God 
has  a  great  and  important  work  for  me  to  do.  I  cannot 
describe  it ;  I  cannot  rid  myself  of  the  thought ;  it  is 
firmly  fixed  in  my  mind.  Pray  for  me  that  God  would 
show  me  my  course,  and  that  in  whatever  capacity  I  may 
be  placed,  I  may  devote  all  my  energies  to  the  promotion 
of  Christ's  kingdom. 

One  of  the  great  marks  of  the  Christian  is,  that  he 
works — ever  about  his  Father's  business.  Christ-  did  not 
say  to  his  disciples,  "  Be  idle,''  but  "  Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,"  &c.  ;  and  we,  as  well  as  they,  must  work.  Christ 
has  enemies  to  be  conquered  ;  we  must  be  the  soldiers ; 
we  must  endure  the  hardships  ;  and  we  shall,  if  we  remain 
faithful,  receive  the  Master's  welcome,  and  wear  the 
victor's  crown.  And  to  get  all  this,  we  must  come  back 
to  that  great  stronghold,  Prayer — the  keystone  of  the 
Christian's  success  ;  the  magic  key  unlocking  the  golden 

*  M.  was  visiting  a  beloved  sister  in  a  distant  place,  ;but  now  in  heaven,'  prior 
to  her  embarkation  for  Europe. 


232  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

casket  of  divine  mercy  ;  the  Christian's  artillery,  pene- 
trating the  ear  of  the  God  of  sabaoth.  We  do  not  pray 
as  we  ought.  Have  we  an  idea  of  prevailing  prayer, 
before  which  mountains  depart ;  of  united  prayer,  which 
gathers  us  together  to  ask  help  from  God  ;  of  practical 
prayer,  which  fulfils  itself.  Oh,  let  such  prayer  be  under- 
stood ;  let  our  whole  souls  be  yearning  after  a  blessing ; 
let  our  spirits  but  "  break  with  longing,"  and  our  expec- 
tations will  nothing  be  delayed.  "  And  it  shall  come  to 
pass  that  before  they  call,  I  will  answer ;  and  while  they 
are  yet  speaking,  I  will  hear." 


SPRING  BROOK,  August  i,  1858. 

In  the  psalm  which  I  read  in  course  last  evening 

(the  85th)  the  following  words  were  the  subject  of  my 
meditation  as  I  lay  in  bed,  "  Surely  His  salvation  is  nigh 
them  that  fear  Him."  They  impressed  themselves  deeply 
upon  me.  How  do  we  know,  when  we  think  that  God 
is  not  hearing  our  prayers,  but  that  His  salvation  is  very 
nigh  unto  us]  Truly  it  is,  though  we  may  not  be  aware  of 
it.  God's  ways  are  not  our  ways  :  His  strength  is  shown 
forth  in  our  great  weakness  :  He  casts  down,  but  He  raises 
up  again  :  He  wounds,  but  He  heals  :  and  it  is  by  feeling 
our  own  weakness  that  we  learn  to  bear  with  and  console 
others ;  by  it  we  obtain  a  readiness  and  skill  which  we 
could  attain  in  no  other  way. 

There  is  nothing  that  reconciles  the  child  of  God  to 
death  so  much  as  the  weariness  of  his  warfare.  Death 
is  unwelcome  to  nature,  but  only  then  can  our  conflict 
cease.  Then  the  flesh  and  all  its  attendant  evils  will  be 


LETTERS  TO  M.  233 

laid  in  the  grave.  Then  the  soul,  having  partaken  of  the 
new  and  heavenly  birth,  and  being  freed  from  every  en- 
cumbrance, shall  stand  perfect  in  the  Redeemer's  right- 
eousness before  God  in  glory. 

It  becomes  us,  as  children  of  God,  to  lift  our  eyes  to 
heaven,  and  say,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?" 
We  are  under  orders  from  heaven  ;  let  us  see  to  it  that 
these  are  executed  in  such  a  manner  as  shall  give  the 
Master  cause  to  say,  "  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faith- 
ful servant,"  &c.  Our  God  is  a  great  God,  therefore 
he  will  be  sought :  He  is  a  good  God,  therefore  he  will 
be  found:  He  will  bestow  upon  us  far  beyond  our 
asking — even  life  for  evermore.  His  delays  are  not 
denials. 

Earthly  beauty  attracts  only  while  it  lasts ;  but  virtue, 
wisdom,  goodness,  and  real  worth,  like  the  loadstone, 
never  lose  their  power.  These  are  the  true  graces  which 
are  linked  hand  in  hand,  because  it  is  by  their  influence 
that  human  hearts  are  so  firmly  united.  Let  it  be  your 
aim  to  become  one  of  those  of  whom  Solomon  tells  us, 

"  their  price  is  far  above  rubies." Remember,  the 

growth  of  the  believer  is  not  like  a  mushroom,  but  like 
an  oak  :  many  summers'  suns  and  showers,  many  wintry 
blasts  and  chilling  storms,  sweep  o'er  it,  ere  it  comes  to 
perfection  ;  but  when  it  has  attained  its  strength,  it  is  the 
beauty  and  king  of  the  forest.  So  is  it  with  the  Christian : 
many  trials  and  afflictions  must  pass  over  him  before  he 
can  be  brought  into  perfect  submission,  and  be  a  faithful 
servant  of  Christ. 

Keep  ever  near  to  a  throne  of  grace  :  let  your  prayers 
be  brief,  often,  and  fervent :  hold  frequent  communion 
with  your  God  and  my  God  :  be  a  praying  Christian, 


234  MKMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

remembering  that  those  are  the  safest  who  are  most 
in  their  closets,  praying  not  to  be  seen  of  men,  but  heard 
of  God.  . 


SPRING  BROOK,  Augnsi  17,  1858. 

All  the  family  have  gone  to  church  and  left  me  alone 
with  my  little  brothers.  I  have  spent  an  hour  talking 
with  them  about  Jesus  and  singing  hymns  ;  and  now  that 
they  have  gone  to  bed,  I  am  here  in  my  room  to  talk  with 
you.  I  have  suffered  intense  pain  all  day  from  neuralgia, 
which  made  me  rather  afraid  to  go  out  this  evening 

Monday  evening. — Was  not  that  a  delightful  prayer- 
meeting  to-day  ?  Truly  God  was  in  that  place,  and  as  I 
went  from  it  I  said  in  my  soul,  "  It  was  good  for  me  to 
be  here."  An  hour  spent  in  such  a  place  seems  to  make 
all  the  rest  of  the  day  go  well.  As  the  regulator  to  the 
watch,  so  does  it  seem  to  be  to  our  daily  actions.  Within 
the  past  few  days  I  have  felt,  as  it  were,  a  great  burden 
lifted  from  my  soul.  I  am  beginning,  I  trust,  to  feel  my 
own  weakness  and  insufficiency ;  and  as  I  feel  it  more 
and  more,  I  begin  to  experience  the  all-sufficiency  ot 
Jesus.  Oh,  how  true,  pure  religion  humbles  a  man  in 
the  very  dust  before  God  :  how  it  makes  him  feel  his 
own  nothingness  and  God's  greatness  !  .  .  .  . 


September  3,  1858. 

Grandmother  (orNanna,  as  I  always  call  her)  is  becoming 
quite  well  again,  and  beginning  to  look  like  herself.  For 
a  long  time  I  feared  she  was  fast  sinking  into  the  grave, 


LETTERS  TO  M.  235 

and  my  very  heart  bled  at  the  thought  of  being  separated 
from  her  who  has  watched  over  me  from  my  first  breath 
with  a  mother's  care ;  who  early  dedicated  me  to  God ; 
who  taught  my  infant  lips  first  to  lisp  a  Saviour's  name ; 
who  led  me  often  to  a  throne  of  grace,  praying  by  day 
and  by  night  that  I  might  be  saved ;  and  who,  I  trust, 
has  seen  her  "  darling  boy  "  born  again.  Yes,  the  very 
thought  of  being  separated  from  her  was  agony  to  me. 
But  thanks  be  to  God  it  has  been  warded  off,  and  we  have 
the  prospect  that  she  will  be  spared  to  us  yet  many  years. 

During  the  coming  winter  I  am  going  to  take  a  course 
of  Mineralogy  with  Prof.  G ,  and  hope  to  make  my- 
self sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  science  in  one  year 
to  pursue  the  study  alone  with  pleasure  and  profit. 

To-morrow  I  spend  in  town,  to  re-organize  my  Sabbath 
school  for  the  winter  campaign.  I  look  forward  to  a 
glorious  work,  and  pray  that  many  souls  may  be  born 
there.  Our  school  was  founded,  built  up,  and  will,  I  trust, 
be  carried  on,  in  prayer;  and  you  know  God's  promise  to 
them  that  call  upon  His  name. 


September  13,  1858. 

Just  before  I  began  this  letter  I  thought  that 

at  least  you  had  reached  the  end  of  your  oceaa  voyage,* 
and  had,  for  the  first  time,  set  your  foot  on  foreign  soil. 
If  your  feelings  were  at  all  similar  to  mine,  they  were 
strange  indeed  :  strange  sights,  strange  people,  everything 
strange — even  their  sky  is  unlike  our  own.  It  is  only 
when  we  are  in  such  a  situation  that  we  feel  "  there's  no 

'  M.  sailed  for  Europe  on  the  ist  September,  1858. 


236  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

place  like  home."  And  to  us,  who  love  God,  and  serve 
Him  with  a  pure  and  loving  heart,  there  is  no  place  like 
our  heavenly  home  :  there,  if  we  really  love  Jesus,  all  our 
hopes  and  affections  will  be  fixed 

College  began  on  last  Wednesday.  I  have  settled  in 

for  a  winter  of  very  hard  work In  addition  to  my 

other  studies  I  hope  to  gain  a  very  considerable  know- 
ledge of  chemistry  and  mineralogy,  practically,  which 
some  day  may  be  of  service  to  me,  and  always  will  be 
a  pleasure. 

On  yesterday  (Sabbath)  week  1  opened  my  mission 
school  for.  the  winter  campaign.  The  attendance  was 
good ;  and  there  seemed  to  be  manifested,  both  by 
teachers  and  pupils,  a  desire  to  do  his  and  her  share  to 
promote  the  kingdom  of  Christ 


September  22,  1858. 

On  waking  this  morning,  the  first  thought  that  entered 
my  mind  was,  "  This  is  M.'s  birth-day."  And  so  you  are 
seventeen — almost  a  woman.  This  day  should  be  to 
you  one  of  great  moment.  You  should  earnestly  thank 
your  heavenly  Father  that  you  have  been  so  long  spared 
in  health  and  strength,  and  that  so  many  blessings  have 
been  bestowed  upon  you.  And  how  should  you  bless 
and  praise  Him  in  that  He  has,  since  your  last  birth-day, 
brought  you  from  death  unto  life,  and  from  the  knowledge 
of  sin  and  Satan  unto  that  blessed  and  glorious  hope  that 
maketh  wise  unto  salvation !  Truly,  God  hath  done  great 
things  for  us,  which  should  cause  us  from  our  inmost 
soul  to  exclaim,  "Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul;  and  all 


LETTERS  TO  M.  237 

that  is  within  me  bless  His  holy  name."  "  His  banner 
over  us  hath  been  love."  Examine  carefully  your  past 
life,  and  see  wherein  you  have  come  short  of  the  divine 
law.  Seek  more  of  the  divine  grace  to  assist  you  to  walk 
an  humble,  devoted  Christian,  aiming  not  to  be  seen  of 
men,  and  approved  of  by  them,  but  to  please  God.  Deter- 
mine that  from  this  time  henceforth  you  will  live  more, 
not  in  the  world,  but  above  it,  remembering  that  this  is 
not  your  resting-place,  but  that  you  look  for  a  city  whose 
builder  and  maker  is  the  Lord.  Take  no  earthly  stand- 
ard of  Christian  piety,  but  rather,  "  looking  unto  Jesus," 
strive  to  walk  as  He  walked.  How  often  do  we  feel  dis- 
couraged and  cast  down  because  we  think  we  are  not 
living  as  we  ought !  we  feel  that  we  do  not  love  Jesus  as 
we  should,  and  begin  to  think  that  God  has  cast  us  off. 
Such  have  often  been  my  feelings,  and  many  an  hour  of 
anguish  have  they  cost  me ;  but  I  am  consoled  and  com- 
forted by  that  beautiful  sentence,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient 
for  thee."  •  What  a  balm  for  a  wounded  spirit  is  there ! 
what  consolation  to  hear  our  dear  Redeemer  offering 
such  a  support  for  our  sin-weakened  souls !  He  indeed 
is  the  "  chief  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely." 
Precious  Jesus!  what  would  I  be  were  it  not  for  Thee? 
These  hidings  of  our  Father's  face  are  but  to  try  our 
faith :  we  must  bear  with  them,  remembering  that  this  "our 
light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for 
us  a  far  more  exceeding,  even  an  eternal  weight  of  glory." 
And  again  let  me  say,  as  often  I  have  said  before, 
be  not  forgetful  of  prayer.  I  know  that  a  person  when 
travelling  is  very  prone  to  be  careless  or  hurried  in  their 
religious  duties.  In  whatever  else  you  may  be  hurried, 
never,  I  beg  of  you,  let  it  be  in  your  prayers.  Go  often, 


238  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

go  earnestly  to  a  throne  of  grace.  Prayer  is  ever  profit- 
able :  it  is  our  covering  by  night  and  our  armour  by  day : 
it  sanctifies  all  our  actions,  and  enrolls  us  under  the 
standard  of  the  Almighty.  Fill  up  the  void  spaces  of 
your  time  with  prayer  and  meditation,  remembering  they 
are  the  safest  who  are  most  in  their  closets.  An  old 
divine  tells  us,  "  They  that  spend  their  days  in  faith  and 
prayer  shall  end  their  days  in  peace  and  comfort."  Be, 
then,  ever  earnest  in  prayer 

Sept.  24. — I  am  swaying  to  and  fro  between  two  pur- 
suits— that  of  a  chemist  and  a  merchant.  A  great  deal  is 
to  be  said  on  both  sides.  For  the  former  I  have  a  very 
great  liking,  and  I  think  I  would  excel  in  it  irt  course  of 
time :  on  the  other  hand,  the  mercantile  life  offers  in  one 
way  very  great  inducements  to  me — a  house  long  estab- 
lished and  doing  a  very  large  business — my  father's 
name  and  custom — everything  prepared  for  me ;  all 
these  things  are  not  trifling,  and  ought  not  to  be  over- 
looked  I  have  prayed  to  God  for  direction,  for  in 

nothing  does  a  young  man  more  require  Divine  assistance 
than  in  choosing  his  occupation  for  life.  God  has  pro- 
mised that  all  things  shall  work  together  for  His  children's 
good;  and  shall  we  not  trust  Him,  who  is  both  able  and 
willing  to  do  all  things  for  usl 

Sept.  27. —  ....  I  have  to  communicate  to  you  the 
joyful  news  that  my  dear  friend  Phil,  has  at  last  renounced 
the  world,  and  on  next  Sabbath  will  publicly  profess  his 
faith  in  Christ,  in  sitting  down  at  that  blessed  table  which 
our  Lord  has  spread,  at  which  His  children  commemo- 
rate His  death.  My  heart  is  filled  with  joy,  and  nothing 


LETTERS  TO  M.  239 

save  your  own  and  your  dear  sister's  profession  has 
caused  me  more  real  happiness.  You  know  that  I  have 
ever  looked  upon  him  as  a  very  clear  friend,  and  my  only 
regret  heretofore  has  been  that  he  was  not  a  Christian. 
Now  my  joy  is  full.  I  never  had  the  courage,  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  to  speak  much  with  him  in  regard  to  his 
soul;  but,  as  you  know,  I  have  ever  made  him  the  subject 
of  earnest,  heartfelt,  importunate  prayer;  and  now  God 
has  answered  me.  He  answered  my  prayers  for  you, 
and  now  He  has  answered  them  for  him.  What  an 
encouragement  should  this  be  to  me  to  go  on  and  pray 
yet  more  and  more  sincerely,  and  to  ask  more  than  I 
ever  have  before ;  for  truly  God  has  told  me  in  this 
that  no  request  is  too  great  for  Him  to  grant.  Let  us 
both  pray  for  Phil,  that  God  will  give  him  grace  and 
strength  to  press  on  in  the  Christian  course,  and  that  he 
may  ever  be  an  humble,  devoted,  earnest  Christian.  May 
our  names  not  only  be  written  in  the  records  of  God's 
Church  on  earth,  but  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life 


PHILADELPHIA,  January  31,  1859. 

The  work  of  God  is  going  on  gloriously.  Every- 
where are  to  be  seen  the  Master's  stately  steppings  in 
His  sanctuary.  The  great  news  is — 

"  The  work's  reviving  all  around, 

and  everywhere  sinners  are  calling  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord. 

Last  Thursday  afternoon  I  presided  at  the  Diligent 
prayer-meeting,  and  the  room  was  crowded.  There  was 


240  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

but  one  spirit  upon  us,  and  that  was  the  spirit  of  earnest, 
heartfelt  prayer.  Many  of  the  profane  and  ungodly 
members  were  present,  and  seemed  much  impressed.  I 

presented  an  anonymous  request  for  ,  and  I  feel 

sure  that  the  prayers,  the  pleadings  with  God  on  his 
behalf,  will  be  answered. 

On  Saturday  I  presided  at  the  noon  prayer-meeting. 
The  room  was  crowded  ;  and  during  our  meeting  we 
breathed  not  the  atmosphere  of  earth,  but  of  heaven. 
How  careful  should  we  be  to  improve  these  precious 
opportunities,  for  each  additional  one  makes  our  account- 
ability the  greater!  The  chairman  of  the  Diligent  meet- 
ing desired  me  pressingly  to  lead  and  address  their  meet- 
ing on  to-morrow  (Sabbath)  evening.  I  hesitated;  and 
yet  I  felt  within  me  a  power  urging  me  to  do  it,  as  my 
privilege  and  duty.  I  felt  unequal  to  the  task,  but  I 
knelt  before  my  God  and  prayed  that  He  would  put 
words,  and  thoughts,  and  desires  into  me,  that  I  might 
speak,  not  at,  but  to  the  souls  of  my  hearers.  I  addressed 
them  from  the  words,  "God  is  love;"  and  for  upwards 
of  half  an  hour  did  I  attempt  to  tell  them  of  this  love. 
We  are  too  much  accustomed  to  look  upon  God  as  a 
Being  of  stern,  unbending  justice :  true,  if  we  view  Him 
through  any  other  glass  than  Jesus  Christ,  He  is  such; 
but  we  are  only  to  look  upon  Him  through  Jesus.  The 
Bible  says  not  God  is  justice,  God  is  mercy — but,  "  God 
is  love."  Love  is  the  law  of  heaven,  the  essence  of 
Divinity.  Deprive  God  of  this,  and  we  deprive  Him  of 
Himself.  Love  binds  spirits  to  angels,  angels  to  arch- 
angels, archangels  to  cherubim,  cherubim  to  seraphim — 
all  to  God.  Surely,  He  who  implanted  love  so  deeply 
in  our  hearts  should  Himself  be  full  of  it.  There  is  no 


LETTERS  TO  M.  241 

theme  so  grand,  so  glorious  as  this !  When  the  angels 
saw  the  exemplification  of  it  in  the  sending  of  His  Son, 
they  strung  their  harps  to  a  higher,  more  harmonious 
melody,  and  burst  forth  in  that  song  which  broke  upon 
the  shepherds'  ears — "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  peace 
on  earth,  and  good-will  toward  men."  Let  us  dwell 
upon  this  love — eternity  cannot  exhaust  it:  let  it  be  our 
evening  and  morning  thought.  The  wonder  is,  not  that 
we  love  God,  but  that  He  first  loved  us.  Were  the 
mother  to  tear  from  her  breast  her  darling  babe,  it  would 
not  be  half  so  wonderful.  Some  lakes  never  freeze,  be- 
cause of  their  great  depth;  and  so,  deep,  fathomless,  is 
the  love  of  God  to  us,  if  we  are  His  children.  The 
springs  of  God's  love  are  never  dried  by  summer's  sun, 
nor  bound  by  winter's  chilling  blast.  The  fires. of  God's 
love  are  never  quenched,  because  they  are  unquenchable. 
God's  love  is  eternal;  whom  he  loveth,  he  loveth  to  the 
end:  it  is  like  the  bush  that  was  burning,  but  never 
consumed. 

My  mission  school  goes  on  as  usual,  increasing  daily. 
We  are  greatly  encouraged,  and  have  reason  to  say  that 
our  labours  have  not  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord 


February  13,  1859. 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  very  solemn  sight;  from  a 
scene  through  which  we  must  all,  sooner  or  later,  pass — 
I  mean  a  bed  of  death.  At  the  close  of  school  this 
afternoon  I  was  requested  to  visit  the  step-father  of  one 
of  my  scholars,  who  was  dying.  Though  quite  unwell,  I 
felt  it  my  duty  to  go.  One  of  my  co-workers  accom- 


242  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

panied  me.  We  found  him  in  a  little  frame  building  in 
Bedford  Street,  in  a  room  about  twelve  feet  square.  His 
disease  was  pleurisy;  and  I  saw  clearly  that  his  end  was 
fast  approaching.  His  mind  was  well-nigh  gone;  but  when 
my  friend  asked  him  what  were  his  prospects  for  another 
world,  his  reason  returned,  and  the  truth  flashed  across 
his  mind,  "  I  am  not  saved."  How  strange  that  on  that 
all-important  subject,  and  on  that  only,  he  should  be 
sensible!  "What  shall  I  do  for  you?"  I  said.  The 
quick  reply  was,  "  Oh,  pray  for  me — that's  what  I  want ! " 
Never  before  have  I  so  felt  the  almighty  power  of  prayer 
as  when  seeing  that  strong  man,  struggling  with  sickness 
and  death,  feeling  that  his  only  support  and  hope  lay  in 
prayer.  We  did  pray,  long  and  earnestly,  that  the  bless- 
ing might  come  down  upon  him  even  while  we  spoke. 
I  left  that  house  revolving  in  my  mind  the  power  and 
absolute  necessity  of  secret  prayer,  not  only  at  stated 
times,  but  very  often. 

I  have  often  thought  that  Christians  are,  in  regard  to 
prayer,  as  a  man  who  has  committed  to  his  care  some 
mighty  machine  possessed  of  wondrous  power :  he  does 
not  know  its  strength,  because  he  is  afraid  to  test  it 

The  tide  of  salvation  which  has  been  sweeping  over 
our  land  for  the  past  year  is  daily  rising.  On  Saturday 
last  I  attended  the  noon  meeting,  and  the  room  was  so 
full  that  we  were  obliged  to  organize  a  second  meeting 
down  stairs. 

The  afternoon  meetings  at  the  Diligent  are  crowded 
daily.  One  young  man,  (among  many  who  are  anxious 
about  their  souls,)  was  brought  to  inquire  the  way  of 
salvation  by  the  question  propounded  by  his  little  daughter 
to  her  mother,  namely,  "  Mother,  does  father  pray1?"  It 


LETTERS  TO  M.  243 

stung  him  to  the  heart;  and  though  for  many  months  he 
has  been  struggling  against  the  Spirit,  yet  it  got  the 
mastery,  and  he  is  now  living,  we  trust,  a  life  of  holi- 
ness  

As  I  gradually  approach  the  time  when  I  must  go 
forth  into  the  world,  I  become  more  and  more  concerned 
as  to  what  shall  be  my  course.  I  have  almost  determined 
to  follow  my  father's  business ;  yet  I  feel  as  it  were  an 
invisible  arm  holding  me  back.  Shall  I  plunge  into  the 
busy  maze  of  mercantile  life,  and  bid  farewell  to  History 
and  Science,  in  which  I  take  such  delight1?  Shall  I  turn 
back  from  the  very  threshold  of  Nature's  vast  laboratory, 
when  the  glimpses  I  have  gotten  of  her  wondrous  laws 
and  almighty  working  have  only  quickened  my  desire  to 
penetrate  more  deeply,  and  know  more  of  her  now  hidden 
mysteries?  Shall  I  throw  aside  the  scroll  of  History,  which 
I  have  just  begun  to  unfold,  and  hide  from  myself  those 
scenes  stamped  indelibly  on  her  page,  in  which  I  have 
taken  such  delight1?  Shall  I  no  longer  hold  converse 
with  her  mighty  dead,  and  learn  lessons  of  wisdom  from 
their  sad  experience  1 

Wherever  duty  lies,  there  will  I  go.  May  God  guide 
me  in  that  path 


March  15,  1859. 

I  have  had  much  pleasure,  profit,  and  pain  of 

late,  in  reading  Lamb's  "  Essays  of  Elia."  They  are 
running  over  with  wit,  covered  with  the  brightest  sun- 
shine; and  yet,  here  and  there  through  a  rift  in  the  clouds, 
you  get  an  insight  into  the  true  heart  and  feelings  of  the 


244  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

writer;  and  you  can  see  that  although  there  is  a  show  of 
gaiety  and  joyousness  without,  within  there  is  a  heart 
racked  and  torn  by  remorse,  and  struggling  in  vain 
against  the  cup  whose  dregs  are  eternal  death. 


SPRING  BROOK,  May  29,  1859. 

An  every-day  remark  struck  me  this  morning 

in  quite  a  new  light.  I  said  to  a  friend,  "  I  will  go  and 
get  ready  for  church;" — '  meaning,  of  course,  that  I  would 
dress  myself.  As  I  went  out  of  the  room  the  remark 
seemed  to  cling  to  me,  "Get  ready  for  church."  Ah!  I 
thought,  how  carefully  do  we  prepare  the  body — the 
external  man — for  the  house  of  God,  but  how  little  the 
soul — that  for  whose  benefit  the  church  was  intended  ! 
How  much  time,  precious,  irredeemable  time,  do  we 
waste  upon  the  mouldering  casket,  while  the  immortal, 
undying  jewel  is  left  untouched !  So  is  it  ever  with  man's 
perverse  nature :  he  cares  much  for  that  which  can  never 
serve  him,  and  naught  for  that  which  alone  can  render 
him  happy  for  ever.  Death,  judgment,  and  eternity,  stare 
him  in  the  face ;  and  yet,  like  the  foolish  boy,  he  plays  on, 
heedless  of  them  all.  When  will  we  be  wise  ?  Never, 
until  the  grace  of  God  snatches  us  as  brands  from  the 
burning,  and  instils  into  us  his  Holy  Spirit. 

I  am  so  much  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the 
position  in  which  I  am  now  placed;  as  regards  the  choos- 
ing my  course  for  life,  that  I  propose  making  my  next 
birth-day,  August  10,  a  day  of  special  prayer  to  God  for 
His  guidance,  that  whatever  course  I  may  choose  may  be 
the  best  for  His  glory  and  for  my  own  good 


LETTERS  TO  M.  245 

On  next  Wednesday  morning  I  start  on  my  long 
western  trip,  to  be  gone  perhaps  three  or  four  months'. 
T  will  start  alone,  but  will  be  joined  out  there  by 
uncle  D 

I  had  a  long  talk  with the  other  day.  He  is  a  very 

clever  business  man,  but,  I  fear,  cares  little  for  those 
heavenly  treasures  which  make  a  man  rich  indeed.  His 
motto  seems  to  be,  "A  short  life  and  a  merry  one."  How 
fearful  the  thought !  a  short,  godless  life,  and  what  then  ? — 
judgment  and  eternal  damnation.  Oh  that  men  were  wise ! 
that  they  would  bestow  some  thought  on  the  never-dying 
soul !  Down,  down,  down  they  go,  heedlessly,  carelessly, 
rushing  to  eternal  ruin 


MILWAUKIE,  (Wis.,)  July  ii,  1859. 

Need  I  say  our  first  visit  was  to  Minnehaha, 

novel-renowned,  far-famed,  Hiawathaized  Minnehaha — 
the  Laughing  Water.  I  asked  to  be  alone.  Winding 
down  a  narrow  path  along  the  edge  of  the  rock,  the  Fall 
in  all  its  beauty,  in  all  that  watery  drapery  with  which 
dame  Nature  with  lavish  hand  has  decked  it,  burst  upon 
my  enchanted  vision.  I  stood  transfixed.  And  is  this 
Minnehaha,  of  which  I  have  heard  so  much1?  I  am  re- 
paid, thrice  repaid,  for  all  my  journey,  with  such  an 
enchanting  sight.  I  wonder  not  that  here  the  Indian 
loved  to  sit;  that  here  he  plighted  his  faith;  that  here  the 
old  warrior  sat  when  the  bloody  day  was  o'er,  and  soothed 
the  heaving,  angry  soul  within,  till  all  was  calm,  peaceful 
and  happy  as  the  Laughing  Water,  which  leaping  from 
the  rocks  against  which  it  fell,  kissed  his  burning  cheek 


246  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

and  hurried  on  its  way;  that  here  the  youthful  warrior 
stood,  and  swore  to  his  blushing  bride  that  she  should  be 
gay,  and  happy,  even  as  yon  Laughing  Water.  I  wonder 
not  that  the  poor  harmless  Indian,  when  called  to  give 
up  his  hunting  grounds  as  a  home  for  the  white  man, 
prays  that  he  may  be  allowed  undisturbed  to  visit  this 
lovely  spot,  and,  though  no  longer  his  own,  gaze  upon 
those  waters,  hastening  away — fit  emblem  of  himself.  After 
spending  a  long  time  in  looking  on  this  gem  of  Nature's 
choicest  workmanship,  the  darkening  shadows  warned 
me  to  return.  Farewell,  Mihnehaha — farewell  Laughing 
Water,  with  your  bending  birch  and  towering  tamarack, 
your  mossy  banks  and  rocky  bed — all,  farewell !  genera- 
tions, when  I  am  dust,  will  gaze  with  delight,  as  I  have 
done,  upon  your  restless  beauty;  yet,  on  you  roll,  until 
that  appointed  time  when  this  earth  and  all  therein  shall 
have  been  melted  with  a  fervent  heat;  then  your  waters 

will  cease  to  flow,  while  I  but  begin  to  live 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  5th  I  went  in  search  of  fossils, 
and  being  the  first  who  had  attempted  to  creep  along  the 
bank  of  the  river  since  the  Flood,  I  was  sanguine  01 
success.  After  clambering  along  the  bank  for  some 
miles,  losing  my  foot-hold  and  falling  some  distance  down 
the  rocks — which  latter  did  not  at  all  tend  to  increase 
my  agility — I  arrived  at  the  spot,  and  in  an  instant  my  eye 
was  greeted  with  an  orthocera,  three  feet  long,  the  finest 
specimen  I  have  seen.  This  animal  is  a  shell-fish,  be- 
longing to  the  same  genus  but  not  the  same  class  as  the 
nautilus,  being  straight  instead  of  curved,  and  having, 
like  the  nautilus,  many  compartments,  which  are  joined  to- 
gether by  a  delicate  ligament,  answering  the  same  purpose 
as  the  spine  in  the  human  being :  it  gets  its  name  from 


LETTERS  TO  M.  247 

two  Greek  words  (meaning  "  like  a  horn " ) :  it  is  a  Pre- 
Adamite,  and  fine  specimens  of  such  a  size  are  very 
rare.  I  worked  a  long  time  exhuming  it  from  the  rock, 
and  at  last  was  fortunate  enough  to  get  it  out  without 
damage,  and  shouldering  it  I  started  for  the  hotel.  Its 
weight  is  90  pounds,  breadth  6  inches  across  the  back, 
and  about  5  inches  high.  I  intend  presenting  it  either  to 
the  University  or  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences. 

The  next  day  we  started  off  to  fish  on  a  lake  about 
fifteen  miles  from  Minneapolis:  the  thermometer  stood 
about  99°,  and  we  in  an  open  boat  out  on  the  lake! 
Whew !  it  was  hot — my  feet  blistered  through  my  boots  ; 
true,  I  caught  70  pounds  of  fish,  but  that  was  poor  pay 
for  the  exposure.  On  getting  home,  I  concluded  that 
fishing  on  hot  days  don't  pay 


MlCHlLIMACKINAC,  STRAITS  OF  MACKINAW, 

July  24,  1859. 

The  other  day  as  I  was  sitting  in  a  boat  and 

watching  each  succeeding  wave  as  it  brought  us  nearer 
shore,  I  thought,  What  an  emblem  of  ourselves,  tossed  in 
this  stormy  sea  of  Time;  yet  every  wave  of  sorrow,  of 
affliction,  or  of  joy,  as  it  rolls  by,  lessens  the  distance 
between  us  and  the  haven  which  we  seek,  even  the  haven 
of  eternal  rest.  The  land  is  not  far  ahead;  should  we 
not,  as  does  the  sailor,  have  everything  ready  to  land  the 
moment  the  keel  of  our  vessel  grates  on  the  shining 
sands'?  Let  us  be  ready,  for  we  know  not  when  the  Son 
of  man  cometh. 

I  have  often  thought  that  one  of  the  perfections  of  the 
Christian  religion  is  to  bring  it  to  bear  on  the  matters 


-248  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

and  occurrences  of  every-day  life,  to  unite  business  with 
religion,  and  to  keep  the  soul  free  from  distraction  and 
debasement  whilst  transacting  the  affairs  of  daily  life. 
It  is  very  easy  for  us  to  entertain  holy  and  solemn 
thoughts  in  the  church,  in  the  prayer-meeting,  and  in  the 
closet;  but  to  carry  these  same  feelings  into  the  counting- 
house,  the  manufactory,  or  the  harvest  field,  requires 
great  watchfulness  on  the  part  of  him  who  would  adhere 
to  his  Christian  profession.  The  atmosphere  of  the  street 
and, of  the  world  is  not  that  of  the  communion  table :  the 
one  is  debasing,  the  other  exalting;  the  one  drags  the 
soul  deep  into  sin,  the  other  bears  it  aloft  to  heaven;  the 
one  shuts  out  the  idea  of  eternity  and  future  happiness, 
the  other  opens  it  out  in  all  its  sublimity'  and  excellence. 
To  pass  from  one  to  the  other  is  like  going  from  the 
equator  to  the  poles;  and  just  as  well  might  you  imagine 
the  rare  exotic,  blooming  and  growing  beneath  a  tropical 
sun,  to  survive  beneath  a  chilling  polar  night,  as  to  ex- 
pect the  soul,  warmed  -and  nourished  at  a  communion 
table,  to  grow  and  flourish  when  exposed  to  the  chilling 
influence  of  the  cold  world  without.  So  difficult  is  the 
task,  so  seemingly  impossible  to  some,  that  but  few  under- 
take it,  and  fewer  succeed  in  its  accomplishment. 

Too  many  are  prone  to  say,  Let  sermons,  and  church, 
and  all  that  pertains  to  religion,  be  for  Sabbath ;  and  let 
all  the  week  be  for  business  and  pleasure.  Religion  is 
made  a  suit  of  fine  clothes,  to  be  carefully  put  on  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  as  carefully  laid  aside  when  the  day  is 
done. 

If  it  were  true  that  business  and  religion  could  not 
accord,  what  sane  man  would  hesitate,  monk-like,  to  shut 
himself  from  the  world,  and  devote  his  time  to  the  pre- 


LETTERS  TO  M.  249 

paration  of  his  soul  for  eternity  ?  Life  here  is  but  for  a 
moment;  life  hereafter  is  for  ever.  But  God  assures  us 
that  we  can  do  both ; — I  mean  not  that  we  can  serve  God 
and  Mammon,  but  that  we  can  be  in  the  world,  and  yet 
not  (/"the  world;  and  He  enjoins  us  to  be  "  Not  sloth- 
ful in  business;  fervent  in  spirit;  serving  the  Lord." 
The  great,  .the  momentous  question  with  us  is,  How  can 
we  attain  this  summit  of  Christian  character  here  on 
earth?  The  answer  is,  By  prayer; — in  a  moment,  quicker 
than  the  electric  spark,  the  thrill  of  aspiration  flashes 
from  man  to  God.  When  you  are  in  sorrow,  when  you 
are  in  affliction,  when  you  are  tempted,  flee  to  your  closet, 
hold  close  communion  with  your  God;  and  when  you 
come  forth  your  spirit  will  be  calm  and  unclouded  as  the 
noonday  sun.  With  this  potent  aid,  with  the  Holy  Spirit 
to  direct  the  soul,  you  can  with  ease  and  joy  bring 
religion  into  every  walk  of  life,  and  instead  of  being  a 
burden,  make  it  a  joy  and  rejoicing. 

Let  it  be  our  great  aim  to  carry  our  religious  principle 
with  us  into  the  world;  bring  it  to  bear  on  worldly  affairs 
and  every-day  actions,  and  the  life  of  the  Christian  be- 
comes nobler  than  that  of  the  philosopher  or  physicist — 
everything  done  by  principle,  and  that  the  noblest  of  all 
principles.  Religion  does  more  than  lament  and  mourn 
over  the  instability  of  earthly  things  :  it  diligently  seeks 
for  and  finds  in  them  the  seeds  of  immortality.  Let  re- 
ligion be  intimately  associated  with  your  worldly  affairs, 
and  you  will  take  from  this  world  all  that  is  worth  keep- 
ing. Every  kind  word,  and  every  self-sacrificing  act 
done  for  Jesus'  sake,  will  impress  itself  indelibly  on  the 
soul,  and  will  pass  on  with  it  to  comfort  and  rejoice  it 
in  eternity.  ,  .  .  . 


250  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

July  15,  1859. 

It  would  have  gratified  me  more  than  I    can 

express  to  have  "been  with  you  in  Jerusalem,  to  tread 
those  narrow  streets  rendered  sacred  by  the  footsteps  of 
Jesus  and  his  beloved  disciples;  to  wander  over  that 
mountain  hallowed  by  his  prayers. ,  What  spot  on  earth 
could  be  more  sacred  than  that  where  Jesus  prayed? 
How  sublime  the  thought — the  Son  of  God  supplicating 
for  sinful  man  !  It  is  natural  for  the  human  mind  to  love 
more  dearly  those  persons  and  places  in  which  it  has  a 
peculiar,  personal  interest;  and  so  I  think  these  hallowed 
spots  will  be  rendered  doubly  dear  to  us  when  we  think 
of  them,  not  in  connection  with  the  Saviour  of  the  world, 
but  with  our  Saviour;  not  that  on  Olivet  He  prayed  for 
a  dying  world  only,  but  for  us;  not  that  in  Gethsemane 
He  suffered  such  mental  agony  that  His  sweat  was  as 
great  drops  of  blood,  that  all  the  world  might  be  saved, 
but  that  we  might  be  brought  from  death  unto  life — that 
at  last  He  died  on  Calvary,  that  you  and  I  might  have 
eternal  life.  To  me  this  adds  a  double  chain  of  love 
and  interest  to  the  scenes  of  the  Saviour's  life.  And 
should  it  not  increase  our  love  now,  to  think  that  He 
suffered  all  for  us,  unworthy,  ungrateful  sinners? 


PHILADELPHIA,  August  10,  1859. 

Home  again.  Found  every  one  in  perfect  health. 
My  birth-day,  the  day  which  must  decide  my  course  for 
life.  I  feel  deeply  its  solemn  importance;  whether  I 
shall  enter  the  ranks  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  or  serve  my 
Master  in  the  humble  capacity  of  a  layman. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  251 

September  5,  1859. 

To-day  I  enter  the  store,  after  much  prayer  and 

thought.  In  view  of  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  1 
have  concluded  that  it  will  be  best.  When  I  study  I 
have  not  good  health;  and  of  what  service  can  a  man  be 
unless  he  has  this  blessing,  which  is  primarily  essential 
to  his  usefulness  in  any  sphere.  There  is  no  position 
more  respectable,  or  more  honoured  in  any  community, 
than  that  of  the  Christian  merchant.  His  sphere  of  use- 
fulness is  much  more  widely  spread  than  that  of  the 
minister;  the  latter,  as  a  general  thing,  can  only  promote 
the  cause  of  Christ  by  his  personal  efforts;  the  former 
can  serve  his  Master,  not  only  by  his  own  personal 
labours,  but  also  by  using  his  means  in  such  a  way  as 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  may  be  greatly  advanced.  It  is 
in  this  latter  calling  that  I  conscientiously  feel  that  I  can 
be  most  useful.  I  pray  God  that  I  may  be  "  diligent  in 
business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord ; "  that  I  may 
never,  for  the  sake  of  gain,  do  anything  that  will  defraud 
my  neighbour,  or  cause  me  any  remorse  of  conscience; 
and  that  if  God  should  prosper  me  in  business,  I  may 
remember  that  riches  are  the  gift  of  God  intrusted  to 
me,  and  are  to  be  used  in  the  advancement  of  His  king- 
dom. . 


October  22,  1859. 

After  much    consideration,  I  have  moved  my 

mission  school — permanently,  I  trust — to  St.  Mary  Street, 
where  I  have  secured  the  lecture-room  of  a  church,  and 
began  last  Sabbath  with  sixty  scholars.  We  have  prayer- 


252  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

meetings,  also,  every  Wednesday  and  Sabbath  evening. 
We  trust  that  the  mission  will  result  in  much  good  to  the 
neighbourhood.  It  is  very  wicked,  and  there  is  much 
need  of  religious  influences.  God  grant  that  we  may  be 
successful. 

Last  Tuesday  evening  Dr.  Scudder  delivered  a  lecture 
on  behalf  of  my  mission.  He  is  the  eminent  missionary 
from  India  ;  and  truly  the  lecture  was  worthy  of  the  man. 
Every  one  who  was  present  was  delighted;  and  very 
many  have  pressed  me  to  have  it  repeated — which  I  have 
concluded  to  do.  The  proceeds  are  to  clothe  and  feed 
the  poor  of  St.  Mary  Street  during  the  winter. 

Next  Sabbath  will  be  our  communion,  and  then  I  will 
again  have  the  blessed  privilege  of  celebrating  my  dear 
Redeemer's  death  and  resurrection.  It  is  nearly  three 
years  since  I  joined  the  Church;  and,  oh,  how  little  ad- 
vance I  have  made  ;  how  weak  my  faith  ;  what  a  babe  in 
Christ  I  am.  Yet  I  have  great  reason  to  thank  God 
that  I  am  even  that;  to  thank  Him  that  He  ever  put  it 
into  my  mind  to  become  a  Christian — to  seek  not  these 
fleeting,  earthly  things,  but  the  enduring,  lasting  treasures 
of  eternity 


December  8,  1859. 

Since  I  last  wrote,  our  country  has  been  called 

to  mourn  the  death  of  one  who  did  much  to  impress 
fading  Nature  on  the  living  page — to  snatch  the  noble 
monuments  of  bygone  days  from  oblivion,  and  hand 
them  down  clad  in  fresh  vigour  and  beauty  to  succeeding 
generations,  and  who  has  rendered  "Sleepy  Hollow" 


LETTERS  TO  M.  253 

world-known  by  his  genial  humour  and  wit.  Washington 
Irving  is  no  more.  Another  of  America's  noblest  sons 
is  laid  low  in  the  dust,  and  in  vain  we  look  for  one  to 
fill  his  place.  His  remains  were  laid  in  the  village 
church-yard,  near  his  much-loved  home,  and  close  to  the 
old  wooden  bridge  on  which  he  often  musingly  stood, 
and  which  has  been  so  inimitably  described  in  the 
"  Legend."  I  trust  he  had  that  better  glory  and  hope 
laid  up  for  him  in  his  Father's  house,  without  which  the 
praise  and  adulation  of  the  world  is  worse  than  nothing, 
for  it  only  leaves  an  aching  void,  which  cannot  be  filled 
by  anything  earthly 


Sabbath  evening,  February  13,  1860. 

This  morning  I  had  a  severe  attack  of  neuralgia, 

and  even  questioned  whether  I  should  go  to  my  mission 
school.  Duty  conquered.  I  went,  and  right  glad  was  I 
that  I  did.  It  was  a  precious  day  to  myself,  and  also, 
I  trust,  to  many  of  the  poor  outcasts  whom  I  visited, 
telling  them  in  their  own  wretched  hovels  of  the  love  of 
Jesus,  which  passeth  all  understanding.  My  resolution 
was,  and  is,  "  If  they  will  not  come  to  the  Bible,  I  will 
take  it  to  them ;  if  they  will  not  come  and  be  told  of 
Jesus,  I  will  go  and  tell  them  of  Him  in  their  own 
homes."  I  believe  that  one  at  least  has,  by  God's  grace 
,  and  through  my  humble  instrumentality,  been  awakened, 
and  I  trust  will  soon  find  Jesus  precious  unto  her  soul. 

Is  not  this  a  glorious  work — these  missions  among  the 
degraded  outcasts  of  our  city?  '  If  we  are  faithful,  God 
will  abundantly  bless  us,  and  give  us  many  souls  as  seals 


254  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

to  our  labours.  We  must  not  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of 
Christ.  In  that,  and  in  that  only,  we  may  boast.  On 
next  Wednesday  evening  I  am  to  have  in  our  meeting 
some  twenty  or  twenty-five  persons,  many  of  whom  never 
were  in  a  church,  and  know  nothing  of  Jesus.  They  are 
coming,  as  they  say,  to  see  how  they  like  it ;  and  I  feel 
a  very  solemn  responsibility  resting  upon  me  in  that  I 
must  address  these  perishing  souls.  I  must  address  them 
in  such  a  manner  as  will  interest  them  and  win  their 
attention,  so  that  they  will  come  again;  nay  more,  I 
must  say  what  will  touch  their  hearts.  I  am  not  equal 
to  such  a  task.  May  God  give  me  grace  and  utterance 
to  speak  the  word  of  truth  with  boldness  and  earnestness, 
and  that  every  word  I  utter  may  come  from  a  heart 
warmed  with  love  to  Jesus,  and  a  desire  for  the  conver- 
sion of  my  fellow-men.  ..... 


February  27,  1860. 

....  You  have  lost  a  dearly  beloved  sister  ;*  I  have 
lost  a  very  dear  friend.  The  Church  militant  has  lost 
one  of  its  brightest  and  most  Christ-like  members,  and 
the  Church  triumphant  has  added  to  its  ranks  a  devoted 
follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Another  star  has  faded 
from  this  earthly  firmament,  to  be  rekindled  with  a 
brighter,  purer,  holier  light,  in  the  firmament  above.  Safe 
at  last  in  her  Father's  house  !  safe  in  the  bosom  of  that 
God  and  Saviour  to  honour  and  serve  whom  was  her 
highest  privilege  and  greatest  joy  !  The  storm  at  last  is 
over,  and  she  sweetly  sleeps.  At  last  she  has  reached 

*  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Wylie,  wife  of  Rev.  W.  T.  Wylie  of  Milton,  Pa.,  after  a  pro- 
tracted and  painful  illness. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  255 

the  haven  of  eternal  rest,  where  pain  and  suffering  are 
unknown.  Now  she  walks  the  streets  of  the  New  Jeru- 
salem, and  has  heard  the  voice  of  her  Saviour  saying 
unto  her,  "  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the 
kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world."  Now  she  mingles  her  voice  with^the  redeemed 
of  every  age  in  singing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb. 
She  sees  unfolded  to  her  wondering  eyes  the  fulness  of 
the  love  of  God.  I  almost  think  I  see  her  looking  down 
upon  us  from  heaven,  and  in  her  own  winning  voice 
saying,  "  Come  up  hither." 

Your  little  household  is  one  less  on  earth — one  more 
in  heaven.  Be  not  sad.  She  is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth. 
God  is  a  loving  God  :  He  doeth  all  things  well.  Think 
of  her,  not  as  a  lifeless  corpse,  but  as  a  glorified  saint  in 
heaven.  Dry  your  tears,  and  rather  rejoice  in  her  happy 
change  ;  and  when  you  look  into  that  grave  where  soon 
the  remains  of  your  dear  sister  will  be  laid,  remember 
that  "  this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality,"  that  "  this 
corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption;"  look  not  at  that 
coffin  as  containing  the  one  whom  you  love,  but  look  up 
and  see  that  ransomed  soul,  having  burst  the  bonds  of 
its  chrysalis,  soaring  aloft  to  the  presence  of  her  Father 
and  our  Father,  of  her  God  and  our  God.  Would  you 
be  comforted  1  There  is  a  balm  in  Gilead.  . 


Sabbath  evening,  March  26,  1860. 

To-day  has  been  a  very  encouraging  one  to 

me.     My  Sabbath  school  attendance  was  better,  and  my 

teachers  seemed  more  earnest  in  their  work.    The  attend- 

17 


256  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

ance  at  my  Bible  class  numbered  twenty :  is  not  that 
encouraging  for  the  third  Sabbath?  How  my  inmost 
soul  goes  up  in  gratitude  to  God  for  ever  putting  it  into 
my  heart  to  engage  in  this  work,  and  for  giving  me  such 
delight  and  success  !  My  lesson  was  the  temptation  of 
Christ ;  and  when  I  got  into  my  subject,  the  hour  and  a 
half  flew  rapidly  by.  As  we  closed,  some  came  to  me, 
and  with  the  tears  almost  starting  in  their  eyes,  told  me 
how  much  they  enjoyed  the  instructions,  and  begged  that 
I  would  enter  their  names  upon  my  roll.  My  plan  is  to 
speak  very  plainly,  simply,  and  understand ingly :  and  I 
pray  that  God  will  bless  it  to  the  conversion  of  their 

souls 

To  make  us  cheerful  and  happy  Christians,  we  need 
more  activity  in  our  Master's  work.  It  is  spiritual  exer- 
cise that  keeps  the  soul  in  health.  Now  is  the  time  to 
do  good.  There  will  be  no  Sabbath  schools  or  Bible 
classes  in  heaven  ;  no  careless  to  warn  ;  no  ignorant  to 
instruct.  Would  we  exercise  our  zeal,  courage,  labour 
and  patience  ]  we  must  do  it  now.  Let  us  hasten,  for 
time  is  flying.  Work !  work !  while  it  is  day,  for  the 
night  cometh — the  long,  long,  weary  night  of  death,  in 
which  no  man  can  work.  Let  us  bring  out  the  Bible 
more  when  we  talk  together ;  there  are  in  it  pearls  of 
inestimable  value,  if  we  will  but  seek  them  out.  Let  us 
speak  oftener  of  the  eternal  home  to  which  we  travel: 
children,  as  the  holidays  draw  near,  love  to  talk  of  home ; 
and  why  should  not  we  talk  of  that  home  where  we 
expect  to  dwell  for  ever1?  Let  us  commune  together 
more,  and  as  the  Saviour  revealed  Himself  to  the  dis- 
ciples on  the  way  to  Emmaus,  so  He  will  reveal  Himself 
to  us.  The  spiritual  flame  within  us  needs  stirring  as 


LETTERS  TO  M.  257 

well  as  feeding  to  keep  it  up.  The  weakest  may  sharpen 
the  strongest,  as  the  whetstone  does  the  scythe.  If  we 
seek  to  water  the  souls  of  others,  our  own  shall  be  abun- 
dantly watered.  Death  will  soon  be  among  us :  let  us 
all  be  prepared  :  let  us  beware  of  a  spirit  of  slumber  and 
formality,  especially  in  private  reading  and  prayer :  let 
our  path  to  the  fountain  be  worn  with  daily  journeys, 
and  let  our  key  to  the  treasury  of  grace  be  bright  with 
constant  use.  . 


Sabbath  evening,  Afril  16,  1860. 

,  I  have  just  come  in  from  my  mission  school  prayer- 
meeting,  completely  worn  out — weary,  not  of  my  Master's 
work,  but  in  it.  To-day  has  been  another  precious 
Sabbath  to  me.  My  school,  morning  and  afternoon,  was 
good ;  then  came  my  delightful  Bible  class;  and  then  a 
very  encouraging  prayer-meeting  this  evening.  How 
joyful  I  felt  for  my  own,  but  inestimably  more  for  my 
Master's  sake,  to  see  that  at  last  we  have  been  enabled 
to  make  an  impression  upon  these  poor  degraded  ones, 
and  persuade  them  to  come  up  to  the  house  of  God !  I 
feel  there  are  glorious  things  in  store  for  our  little  mission. 
There  I  hope  to  labour  as  long  as  God  shall  spare  my 
poor  life ;  and  I  want  no  other  monument  than  that — a 
monument  each  stone  of  which  is  an  immortal  soul, 
which  God  has  enabled  by  His  grace  and  Spirit's  assist- 
ance to  be  snatched  from  death  and  made  an  heir  of 
eternal  life.  . 


258  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Sabbath  evening,  May  13,  1860. 

God  says,  "  I  will  cause  you  to  pass  under  the 

rod,  and  I  will  bring  you  into  the  bond  of  the  covenant." 
Sweet  rod,  that  drives  the  soul  to  such  a  precious  resting- 
place  !  blessed  affliction,  that  makes  us  more  confident 
in  God!  One  of  the  resolutions  made  by  Jonathan 
Edwards,  when  starting  out  in  life,  is  worthy  of  such  a 
noble  and  gifted  mind — "Resolved,  To  improve  afflictions 
to  the  uttermost"  If  we  do  thus,  we  will  do  well. 

You  have  now  no  earthly  father*  to  lean  upon  and 
look  to  for  comfort  and  guidance ;  but  there  is  one  upon 
whom  you  can  lean — upon  "the  Beloved."  Be  found 
coming  up  out  of  the  wilderness  of  natural  sin  "  leaning 
upon  the  Beloved."  If  you  are  thus  found,  then  every 
hour  that  strikes  is  an  hour  less  between  you  and  glory. 
An  hour  with  Christ  will  make  up  for  all  the  pain  and 
grief  that  we  may  have  endured  here  ; — "  half  an  hour 
with  God  will  make  us  forget  a  lifetime  of  agony."  Do 
you  want  love  1 — He  is  the  everlasting  fountain  of 
love. 


June  1 6,  1860. 

......  Marriage  was  meant  to  double  man's  happiness, 

and  when  contracted  in  the  fear  of  God  it  accomplishes 
its  purpose  ; — on  other  terms,  the  misery  is  insupportable. 
The  man  who  dares  venture  here  without  the  guidance  of 
"  the  Wonderful,  the  Counsellor,"  is  gambling  with  a  stake 
which  may  be  to  him  eternal  death ;  for  who  has  such  an 

*  M.'s  father  departed  this  life  on   the   a6th  April  1860,  after  a  few  days 
illness. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  259 

influence  for  good  or  evil  over  a  man  as  his  wife  ?  If 
we  leave  God  out  of  view  in  the  beginning,  the  downward 
course  is  easy  and  rapid ;  the  results  are  not  for  time, 
— they  are  for  eternity. 

We  must,  then,  have  the  grace,  the  truth  of  God  in  our 
hearts.  If  it  is  there,  it  will  well  up.  You  may  attempt 
to  repress  the  gushing  spring,  but  it  will  rise  at  another 
place,  spreading  life  and  fertility  wherever  it  goes  :  so 
with  truth  in  our  own  souls ;  if  it  is  there,  it  will  be  seen 
and  felt  by  ourselves,  and  by  those  around  us Re- 
ligion is  the  crown  and  glory  of  man's  life  :  without  it  he 
is  a  pitiful  wreck,  tossed  about  upon  a  boundless  sea. 
Man  in  his  natural  condition  knows  nothing  higher  or 
nobler  than  earthly  pleasure ;  and  when  religion  comes 
and  drives  this  away,  he  fears  he  is  about  to  lose  his  all : 
but  when  his  bonds  are  broken,  and  the  scales  drop  from 
his  eyes,  then  he  bows  before  the  majesty  and  rejoices 
in  the  love  of  God.  That  heart  is  happiest  whose  godli- 
ness is  greatest ;  that  home  the  most  blessed  where  it  is 
most  on  the  ascendant ;  that  work-shop  the  best  condi- 
tioned where  it  is  most  felt ;  that  nation  the  safest  and 
most  prosperous  where  the  lamp  of  life  sheds  light  upon 
the  path. 

Religion  is  the  director  of  the  Christian's  life.  Can  we 
ever  have  a  wiser  guide  than  the  all-wise  God  '\  Can  we 
ever  find  a  safer  or  more  pleasant  path  than  that  into 
which  the  Eternal  leads  us  1  Can  we  select  a  better 
standard,  a  better  aim,  than  that  which  God  provides  for 
us  ?  Like  the  ship  upon  the  ocean,  we  may  be  beaten 
and  tossed  by  the  storm  until  hope  seems  to  have  for 
ever  faded  from  us ;  but  then  One  comes  to  us  over  the 
angry  waves,  and  we  hear  His  voice  far  above  the  howling 


260  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

winds,  saying,  "It  is  I;  fear  not;"  and  His  presence 
makes  a  calm.  The  chart  which  has  been  given  us  to 
guide  us  through  life  is  divine,  bearing  the  impress  of  an 
eternal,  unalterable,  inflexible  mind,  and  consequently 
never  can  be  changed. 

We  cannot  bring  our  religion  to  the  Bible ;  we  must 
get  it  from  it.  Man  cannot  judge  the  Word  of  God — it 
judges  him ;  it  is  the  director  of  his  steps  and  the  sun  of 
his  soul.  Guided  by  it,  he  walks  under  the  direction  of 
the  Father  of  lights,  with  whom  there  is  no  variableness 
neither  shadow  of  turning,  to  that  abode  where  the  glory 
of  God  is  manifested  to  all,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light 
thereof.  That  Director,  in  his  all-wise  providence,  leads 
us  through  devious  ways  to  our  rest — many  he  leads 
through  paths  of  bereavement  and  sorrow,  as  he  has  you ; 
but  soon  all  will  merge  into  the  full  sunlight  and  glory 
of  the  Father's  presence.  Is  it  not  a  joyous  thought, 
after  a  long  absence  in  a  foreign  land,  where  no  familiar 
face  smiled  upon  us,  to  know  that  on  turning  homeward, 
"  there  is  an  eye  will  mark  our  coming,  and  look  brighter 
when  we  come1?"  How  much  more  gladdening  that  Word 
of  God  which  irradiates  the  Christian's  path— a  pillar  of 
cloud  by  day  and  of  fire  by  night ! 

But  godliness  is  the  ornament  and  glory  of  life,  as  well 
as  its  director.  What  makes  the  soul  beautiful  1  All 
God's  works  are  surpassingly  lovely.  Look  at  the  modest 
flower  as  it  lifts  its  dewy  cup  to  greet  the  morning  sun, 
and  see  what  beauty  beams  upon  us  there.  Contemplate 
the  firmament  above  us— fitting  type  of  Jehovah's  im- 
mensity— and  mark  the  beauty  there.  Now,  if  these 
ephemeral  things  are  clad  in  loveliness  by  God,  may  we 
not  expect  more  exquisite  beauty  in  the  immortal  soul  of 


LETTERS  TO  M.          .  261 

man  1  It  was  once  in  the  image  of  God — it  is  capable 
of  wearing  that  image  again.  In  what  is  the  beauty  of 
the  soul  1  In  its  holiness;  and  this  hoMness  is  developed 
by  the  sorrows,  and  sufferings,  and  persecutions  of  the 
soul.  Were  it  not  for  the  clouds  and  the  rain,  the 
gorgeous  tints  of  the  rainbow  would  never  gild  our  sky ; 
and  were  it  not  for  the  trials  sent  by  the  Spirit,  the  beauties 
of  holiness  would  never  shine  so  brightly  in  the  Christian's 
soul.  Like  the  fabled  dragon,  the  Christian  rises  refreshed 
and  strengthened  from  every  blow,  even  though  the 
clearest  heart-string  has  been  severed.  It  is  holiness,  then, 
that  is  the  ornament  of  life  :  without  it  no  transcendent 
talents  or  rare  acquirements  can  give  beauty  to  the  spirit 
in  the  eye  of  God.  Knowledge  is  power,  but  it  is  the 
power  of  evil :  acquirements  may  be  extensive,  but  they 
are  like  gaudy  trappings  on  a  hearse,  unless  truth  in  the 
heart  become  holiness  in  the  life.  But  let  this  truth  be 
implanted  in  the  soul  of  man,  and  it  becomes  his  joy  as 
well  as  his  director  and  ornament.  Christianity  intro- 
duces us  to  the  highest  joy  of  earth  or  heaven — even  joy 
in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  without  this,  man  is,  of  all 
objects  in  the  universe,  the  most  pitiable.  Man's  heart 
was  made  to  be  happy  in  God,  and  without  Him  eternity 
cannot  fill  up  the  void.  We  may  seek  joy  in  human 
affections,  but  death  comes,  strikes  down  the  object  of 
our  love,  and  hides  it  from  our  sight.  It  is  impossible 
that  any  object  whose  root  is  in  the  dust  can  gladden 
the  soul  of  man,  apart  from  the  God  who  made  it.  Has 
God,  then,  left  us  without  joy  1  No.  Even  in  this  sinful 
world  there  is  a  joy;  and  the  knowledge,  love,  and  fear 
of  God  are  its  fountain-head.  In  reconciliation  to  God,  in 
growing  holiness,  in  greater  love  to  Jesus,  the  man  of  God 


262  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

finds  the  streams  of  his  joy.  Is  the  land  of  his  fathers  a 
source  of  joy  to  the  returning  exile  ?  Are  the  green  fields 
and  bright  heavens  a  source  of  gladness  to  him  who  has 
long  been  immured  in  a  dungeon  ]  Far  more  is  a  sense 
of  God's  favour  to  a  soul  which  has  returned  from  its 
wanderings  to  seek  rest  and  repose  on  the  bosom  of  its 
God. 

Lastly,  truth  in  the  heart — holiness — is  a  prelude  of 
the  life  that  is  to  come.  It  is  a  sad  thing  to  stand  by  an 
open  grave  and  see  dust  returning  to  dust — one,  perhaps, 
with  whom  we  have  taken  sweet  counsel,  on  whose  arm 
we  have  often  leaned,  whose  soul  has  touched  our  own, 
and  in  which  the  inmost  secrets  of  our  own  heart  are 
entombed.  The  cold  earth  must  hide  them  ;  and  even 
affection  must  hasten  to  bury  them  out  of  our  sight.  But 
that  very  body  thus  consigned  to  dust  must  come  forth 
a  glorious  body,  when  "death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in 
life."  That  which  is  sown  in  dishonour  is  to  grow  in 
glory,  if  united  to  Him  who  is  the  resurrection  and  the 
life,  who  has  abolished  death,  and  brought  life  and  im- 
mortality to  light  in  the  Gospel.  And  thus  we  look  upon 
the  work  of  God's  Spirit  in  the  soul  as  the  crown  and 
consummation  of  life."  . 


SPRING  BROOK,  Sabbath,  August  26,  1860. 

In  just  half  a  year  from  this  day  God  has,  in 

his  all-wise  providence,  seen  fit  to  remove  from  you  two 
loved  ones — objects  around  which  your  dearest  affections 
earnestly  clung — a  father  and  a  sister.  In  the  hour  when 


LFTTERS  TO  M.  263 

affliction  first  comes  upon  us  we  are  crushed,  and  cannot, 
in  the  depth  of  our  sorrow,  see  that  any  good  thing  can 
come  out  of  a  bereavement.  But  when  the  grave  has 
closed  over  the  loved  ones,  and  we  sit  down  to  sober 
reflection,  then  we  see  the  lesson  God  intended  to  teach, 
and  wonder  why  we  have  not  seen  it  before.  Surely  God 
had  some  important  end  in  view  in  thus  snatching  away 
two  of  his  creatures  in  the  prime  and  vigour  of  life.  Have 
you  as  yet  learned  that  lesson  ]  Have  you  seen  what 
God  intended  to  teach  you  ?  It  may  have  been  that  youi 
spirit  was  rebellious,  and  this  was  sent  to  teach  you 
patience  and  submission  to  your  heavenly  Father's  will. 
Perhaps  you  leaned  too  much  upon  earthly  support,  and 
He  took  that  away  in  order  to  make  you  look  to  and 
lean  only  upon  Him.  Try  arid  see  what  this  lesson  is  ; 
and  having  seen  it,  profit  by  it.  I  believe  it  is  our  duty, 
when  we  are  afflicted,  to  pray  for  guidance,  in  order  that 
we  may  see  the  lesson  intended  to  be  taught  us.  These 
afflictions  are  the  salt  cast  into  the  Marah  fountain  of  our 
hearts,  bitter  with  sin,  in  order  that  the  water  may  be 
made  sweet.  Yea,  even  though  the  furnace  of  our  afflic- 
tion be  seven  times  heated,  yet  the  Refiner  sits  by  :  his 
desire  is  to  purify,  not  to  consume.  The  spices  in  the 
Temple  were  bruised  spices.  We  need  not  expect  to 
reach  heaven  except  through  much  tribulation.  It  will 
a  thousand-fold  add  to  our  enjoyment  there,  to  think  of 

what  we  have  passed  through  to  reach  it Let  our 

voice  be,  "  Not  my  will,  but  Thine  be  done."  Let  us 
seek  greater  nearness  to  God,  striving  at  all  times  to  be 
like  Jesus 


264  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

AT  SEA — STEAMSHIP  "  CITY  OF  BALTIMORE," 
Sabbath,  May  19,  1861. 

Last  evening  was  lovely.  The  moon  shone  out 

calmly  and  beautifully  upon  us,  and  reflected  from  the 
fading  hills  of  Rhode  Island,  seemed  to  bid  us  God- 
speed. As  I  walked  the  deck  and  looked  toward  my 
native  land,  a  thousand  memories  rushed  upon  me,  which 
found  utterance  in  my  exclamation  to  a  Scotch  lady  re- 
turning to  her  fatherland — "  Would  that  I,  like  you,  were 
returning  to  my  home  again ! '' 

After  a  fine  night's  sleep  I  awoke  this  morning  much 
refreshed.  To-day  is  lovely.  We  had  a  service  in  the 
cabin  at  10.30,  conducted  by  Captain  Petrie.  The 
saloon  was  crowded,  and  the  service  solemn  and  im- 
pressive. How  hard  it  is  to  keep  Sabbath  on  board 
ship  !  .  .  .  . 

I  am  much  pleased  with  our  vessel.  The  accommo- 
dations are  very  good,  and  the  table  excellent.  Our 
captain  is  a  jolly  good  fellow,  and  both  he  and  the 
purser  have  shown  me  much  attention  already 

Monday  evening. — Another  delightful  day,  though  now 
the  clouds  are  black  and  angry,  and  threaten  a  storm. 
I  fear  my  friends  at  home  have  wasted  a  good  deal  of 
sympathy  upon  me  in  regard  to  sea-sickness.  I  never 
was  better  in  my  life,  and  can  eat  my  four  meals  per 
diem  with  unexampled  regularity.  When  I  came  on 
board,  father  put  me  in  charge  of  the  captain  and  purser, 
as  one  who  had  been  "  very  sick,  and  needed  a  great 
deal  of  attention."  Yesterday  morning  the  captain  and 
I  had  a  good  laugh  about  it  when  he  saw  me  enjoying 
my  breakfast,  remarking  that  he  thought  "  I'd  do."  This 


LETTERS  TO  M.  265 

morning  we  were  summoned  to  see  the  crew  put  through 
their  exercises.  All  the  officers,  crew,  and  waiters,  are 
portioned  off  to  the  several  boats,  and  every  few  days 
they  are  drilled  in  clearing  them  away,  so  that  in  case 
of  accident  there  may  be  no  confusion,  but  by  each 
one  knowing  his  place,  and  being  skilled  in  his  work, 
many  lives  may  be  saved  which  otherwise  would  be 
lost 

Tuesday  evening. — Rolling!  pitching!  tossing!  How 
can  I  write  1  As  we  apprehended,  the  heavy  clouds 
which  gathered  around  us  last  evening  brought  us  a 
storm.  When  I  went  on  deck  this  morning  I  found  a 
heavy  sea  running,  and  the  wind  dead  ahead,  blowing  a 
perfect  gale.  Though  the  decks  were  wet  with  spray,  in 
company  with  two  or  three  others  I  walked  for  a  long 
time,  until  at  length  we  were  driven  below  by  the  rain. 
It  was  an  amusing  sight  our  dinner-table  to-day :  hardly 
had  the  soup  been  removed  when  about  thirty  made  a 
bolt  for  the  scuppers — among  whom  were  my  travelling 
companions.  When  the  substantiate  came,  hardly  twenty- 
five  of  our  one  hundred  and  fifty  passengers  were  left  at 
the  table — the  rest  not  caring  to  dine.  For  myself,  thus 
far  I  have  been  exempt.  I  am  very  well,  and  my  appe- 
tite increases.  All  afternoon  I  sat  on  the  smoke-stack 
enjoying  the  grand  scene  before  me.  The  ship  was 
under  full  sail  and  dashed  through  the  water  in  right 
gallant  style 

[After  describing  at  length  some  of  his  fellow-passengers, 
he  proceeds: — ] 

My  travelling  companions  are  both  very  clever,  and  in 
company  with  two  other  young  men,  one  from  California 


266  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

and  th&  other  from  Switzerland,  there  is  no  lack  of  sport. 
We  have  with  us  another  notability.  You  may  remember 
the  advertisements  which  have  appeared  for  several  years 
past,  and  have  caused  a  great  deal  of  merriment,  reading 
somewhat  thus: — "A  retired  physician,  whose  sands  of 
life  are  nearly  run  out,  whilst  travelling  through  India 
with  an  only  daughter  who  was  dying  of  consumption, 
discovered  (or  fell  in  with)  a  preparation  which  perfectly 
cured  her;  and  being  desirous  of  serving  in  some  way  his 
fellow-men,  he  will  send  the  recipe  to  any  one  who  will 
enclose  him  three  postage  stamps."  His  dodge  was  as 
follows: — he  would  by  return  of  mail  send  the  recipe, 
adding  at  the  bottom,  "  that  if  the  heat  in  boiling  was  a 
little  too  great,  it  would  become  a  deadly  poison."  Of 
course,  no  one  would  dare  to  try  it.  Sure  of  the  effect 
of  his  warning,  he  would  say,  by  way  of  Nota  Benc,  that 
"  he  had  a  small  quantity  on  hand  prepared  by  a  skilful 
chemist,  which  he  would  be  happy  to  supply  at  $2  per 
bottle."  This  retired  physician,  whose  sands  of  life  have 
been  running  out  for  a  few  years  past,  is  a  hale,  hearty 
young  Yankee,  of  about  thirty-five,  whose  sands,  from  all 
appearances,  will  run  a  long  time  yet.  He  has  made 
over  $90,000  by  his  quackery,  and  is  now  going  to 
Europe  to  travel  and  open  his  trade  in  London 

Thursday  evening. — Yesterday  I  was  unable  to  write 
owing  to  the  storm.  We  ran  all  day  through  a  dense 
fog,  at  full  speed,  with  all  sail  set.  It  was  a  terribly 
grand  sight.  We  passed  several  icebergs — one  of  them 
very  large — coming  uncomfortably  close.  I  am  still  very 
well,  and  have  been  able  to  act  as  nurse  to  several  of  my 
sea-sick  friends.  Not  only  am  I  well,  but  I  am 


LETTERS  TO  M.  267 

enjoying  myself.  A  gentleman  told  me  this  morning, 
"  You  seem  to  be  the  happiest  one  on  board."  Externally 
I  may  be;  bat  he  did  not  know  how  my  heart  was 
yearning  for  the  loved  ones  at  home — how  I  sit  behind 
the  wheel-house,  where  undisturbed  I  may  look  back 
toward  that  loved  land  momentarily  becoming  more 

distant 

When  I  arose  this  morning  I  found  the  fog  gone  and 
a  clear  western  wind  blowing,  which  hastens  us  on  our 
course.  The  sea  has  been  heavy,  and  the  ship  rolls 
considerably.  All  morning  I  lay  on  the  deck  reading 
"John  Halifax,  Gentleman,"  by  Miss  Muloch:  if  you 
have  not  read  it,  I  heartily  recommend  it  as  one  of  the 
most  natural,  well-written  tales  I  have  read 

Friday  evening. — Another  rather  gloomy  day.  Every 
now  and  then  the  sun  would  peep  out  upon  us  from 
behind  a  bank  of  clouds,  and  then  quickly  hiding  him- 
self again,  a  smart  shower  of  rain  would  drive  us  within  ;— 
long  heavy  swells  would  come  rolling  in  from  the  west, 
causing  our  vessel  to  perambulate  rather  extensively 
around  her  centre  of  gravity.  For  a  couple  of  hours  I 
sat  in  the  "  Fiddle,"  (as  we  have  dubbed  the  main  hatch- 
way,) with  the  captain  and  Bayard  Taylor:  the  former  is 
really  one  of  the  cleverest  (I  mean  English  clever)  men 
I  have  met — a  gentleman  full  of  fun  and  anecdote,  and 
withal  a  splendid  seaman.  I  picked  up  a  good  deal  of 
information  from  the  captain  and  Mr.  Taylor  in  regard 
to  travelling  in  Germany,  France,  &c. ;  both  of  them 
having  been  there  very  often. 

Saturday  evening. — A  lovely  day.     Although  now  and 


268  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

then  a  smart  shower  would  drive  us  in,  yet  withal  the 
scene  was  surpassingly  lovely; — the  dark-green  billows, 
crested  with  foam,  broke  upon  our  stern  and  hurried  our 
vessel  on  her  eastern  course 

Sabbath.— Morning  service  is  over,  and  my  thoughts 

turn,  as  ever,  to  home What  a  wretched  place  this 

is  to  keep  the  Sabbath  in  !  If  there  were  only  some 
place,  except  my  dark  state-room,  where  I  could  be 
alone,  or  at  least  have  only  such  company  as  I  chose. 
On  deck  it  is  too  cold  to  read,  and  in  the  cabin  it  is  out 
of  the  question.  I  feel  indeed  that  my  two  Sabbaths  on 
board  have  been  misspent 

Monday  evening. — To-day  has  been  charming — clear, 

yet  the  sky  has  not  the  deep  blue  it  has  in  America 

As  I  look  round  the  cabin  I  see  many  busy  in  getting 
ready  for  the  morning  mail.  Our  voyage  is  nearly  done. 
We  have  had  a  safe  and  speedy  passage  almost  across 
the  Atlantic.  My  health  is  much  improved,  and  although 
still  weak,  I  feel  that  I  am  rapidly  becoming  myself 

again I  soon  shall  land  among  strangers.     Strange 

scenes  are  before  me — temptations,  perhaps,  that  I  know 
not  of;  much  pleasure  and  knowledge.  Pray  that  I  may 
avoid  the  wrong,  and  use  to  the  best  advantage  the  right ; 
that  I  may  never  forget  who  and  what  I  am ;  that,  be  the 
temptation  ever  so  strong,  I  may  have  a  high,  pure  bond 
of  restraint — a  bond  above  all  that  is  earthly  and  mer- 
cenary— love  to  my  blessed  Saviour.  And  may  this 
influence  be  such,  as,  filling  my  heart  with  noblest  and 
holiest  desires,  I  may  appear  to  others  as  one  who  is 
indeed  a  child  of  God.  . 


LETTERS  TO  M.  269 

Tuesday  morning. — At  4  this  morning  we  were  roused 
by  the  cry  of  "  Land  ahead  !"  On  going  on  deck  I  could, 
away  in  the  distance,  see  the  mountains  of  Ireland 
looming  up.  A  nearer  approach  showed  it  to  be  the 
"Skittles,"  a  group  of  rocks  at  the  entrance  of  Bantry 
Bay.  We  have  just  passed  Cape  Clear — the  last  point 
of  land  seen  by  outward  bound  vessels.  Would  that  I 
could  only  see  them  fading  in  the  distance,  and  myself 
homeward  bound !  I  was  much  amused  at  an  Irishman 
we  have  on  board.  On  going  on  deck  this  morning,  and 
seeing  his  native  isle  once  more,  he  reverently  doffed  his 
hat,  with  the  exclamation,  "  Good-morning  to  your  lady- 
ship ;  how  are  ye  now?"  The  day  is  perfect;  the  water 
is  smooth  as  glass,  and  a  large  flock  of  sea-gulls  are  fol- 
lowing astern,  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  youngsters, 
who  are  feeding  them  with  crackers 


BlKKENHEAD,  "  CLAUGHTON  FlRS," 

May  31,  1861. 

Here  I  am,  after  a  delightful  passage,  safely  ensconced 
in  my  uncle's  house  at  Birkenhead. 

We  arrived  off  Cork  the  same  day  I  wrote  you, 

about  3  o'clock.  The  afternoon  was  calm  and  clear,  and 
all  were  very  happy  in  view  of  a  speedy  termination  of 
the  voyage.  After  tea  a  party  of  us  gathered  round  the 
smoke-stack,  and  sat  from  8  to  2  o'clock  talking  and 
hearing  the  captain  tell  stories.  When  we  retired,  the 
half  moon  was  slowly  rising  over  the  mountains  of  Wales. 
Rising  early,  and  coming  on  deck,  I  found  that  we  were 
just  opposite  the  fatal  rocks  on  which  the  Royal  Chartet 


270  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

was  dashed  to  pieces.  You  may  remember  the  circum- 
stances. I  could  not  help  thinking  about  it  as  we  left 
Queenstown.  Their  passage  had  been  as  pleasant  as 
ours;  they  had  telegraphed  to  their  friends  of  their  safe 
arrival — and  yet  were  lost.  Long  after  I  went  to  my  bed 
I  thought  about  it,  until  the  very  thought  put  me  to 
sleep.  At  8  o'clock  the  pilot  came  on  board ;  and  at  i 
o'clock  we  arrived  off  the  Huskisson  Dock.  Soon  after, 
the  tug  came  alongside,  on  the  deck  of  which  I  recog- 
nized my  cousin  A.  S.,  as  well  as  my  uncle  D.  We  came 
ashore  in  the  tug;  our  baggage  was  examined;  took  a 
cab;  crossed  the  Woodside  Ferry, 'and  soon  arrived  at 
C  laugh  ton  Firs. 

All  evening  my  tongue  was  kept  busy  answering 

questions  in  regard  to  American  politics,  in  which  I  find 
people  take  a  much  deeper  interest  than  I  had  any  idea 
of. 

At  noon,  J.  S.  having  heard  of  my  arrival,  came  down 
from  Manchester.  I  was  rejoiced  to  see  him,  and  soon 
we  were  as  of  old.  After  dinner  we  started  out  to  drive 
over  the  hills  towards  Chester.  I  enjoyed  the  ride  very 
much;  and  between  us  four  cousins  fun  was  not  wanting. 
Along  the  road  the  yellow  and  scarlet  hawthorn  was 
growing  luxuriantly,  while  the  chirping  of  the  sparrows, 
the  antiquated  tower  peeping  through  the  trees,  and  the 
old  windmill  lazily  turning  on  the  hill,  all  told  me  un- 
mistakably that  I  was  in  Old  England,  and  not  in 
Young  America.  After  tea  we  went  for  a  walk  in  Birken- 
head  Park.  What  an  advantage  the  English  have  over 
us  in  their  long  twilights !  After  all  work  is  done  there 
are  two  or  three  hours  of  twilight,  when  those  who  have 
been  cooped  up  all  day  can  go  out  and  enjoy  themselves. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  271 

The  Green  presented  a  beautiful  sight  last  evening: 
here  a  father  was  playing  with  his  little  ones;  there  a 
club  playing  cricket;  further  on,  youngsters  enjoying 
themselves  hugely  with  a  game  of  tag,  whilst  little  knots 
scattered  here  and  there  over  the  grass  seemed  in  the 
very  hey-day  of  enjoyment.  England  far  surpasses  us 
in  her  parks.  I  do  not  suppose  that  in  all  America  we 
have  such  an  one  as  this.  . 


MANCHESTER,  "THE  ELMS,"  June 6,  1861. 

After  tea,  in  company  with  J.  and  J.,  walked 

over  Kensall  Moor.  The  view  was  beautiful  from  the 
top  of  the  hills  skirting  the  moor,  through  which  the 
Irwell  winds  very  sluggishly.  On  the  opposite  side  we 
could  see  the  little  cottages  built  upon  the  rising  hill, 
with  their  lights  flickering  through  the  trees ;  while  away 
in  the  distance  were  the  hills  known  as  the  Back  Bone  of 
Old  England,  behind  which  the  sun  had  just  set.  J.  and 
I  were  very  happy  in  meeting  again.  On  returning,  we 
found  H.,  an  artist  of  much  celebrity  here,  had  dropped 
in ;  and  gathering  round  the  fire,  a  round  of  stories,  and 
songs,  and  conundrums  began,  which  did  not  end  until 
near  the  small  hours 

Aunt  J.  says  that  I  am  improved  so  much  since  I 
landed,  that  no  one  would  know  me  to  be  the  same  per- 
son. I  feel  well,  though  my  strength  is  coming  to  me 
slowly 

June  7,    1 86 1. — A   clear    sunshiny    morning.       Left 
18 


272  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Manchester  at  9.45  in  the  mail-coach  for  Buxton.  The 
air  was  clear  and  bracing,  and  at  full  speed  we  hastened 
toward  the  blue  hills  of  Derbyshire  looming  up  in  'the 
distance.  Our  road  was  one  of  those  smooth,  level  turn- 
pikes, for  which  England  is  justly  famous.  Long  rows  of 
hawthorn  hedges  lined  it,  save  where  here  and  there  the 
little  country  inn  modestly  peeped  from  out  the  surround- 
ing trees.  Many  of  these  have  queer,  and  some  pompous 
names,  such  as,  "  The  Royal  Arms" — "  The  Dial,"  having 
for  a  motto,  "Go  about  your  business" — "The  Old 
Grey  Horse,"  &c.  A  ride  of  an  hour  brought  us  to  Stock- 
port,  noticeable  only  for  smoke  and  dirt.  From  this 
place  we  began  to  ascend  the  hills  skirting  Derbyshire. 
The  scene  on  either  hand  was  truly  enchanting — fields 
clad  in  the  richest  green  skirting  the  mountain-sides, 
relieved  here  and  there  by  a  little  village,  whose  old  gray 
church-tower,  nearly  hidden  by  the  clinging  ivy,  told  of 
days  gone  by,  and  of  generations  now  mingled  with 
their  kindred  dust. 

We  continued  to  ascend  by  a  winding  road  until  we 
had  reached  an  elevation  of  1,300  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  sea.  Here  a  sudden  turn  in  the  road  brought  us 
in  full  view  of  the  celebrated  watering-place  of  Buxton, 
chiefly  celebrated  for  its  tepid  baths,  the  discovery  of 
which  dates  back  to  the  Roman  invasion 

Back  of  the  town  rises  a  high  rock  known  as  the  Chee 
Tor,  and  from  its  top  a  view  of  great  beauty  may  be  ob- 
tained. 

At  Fairfield,  lying  at  the  base  of  the  Tor,  there  is  to 
be  seen  the  following  epitaph : — 

"  Beneath  this  stone  here  lie  two  children  dear, 
The  one  at  Stony  Middleton,  the  other  here." 


LETTERS  TO  M.  273 

Took  a  drag  for  Castleton,  12  or  14  miles  distant. 
On  ascending  the  hills  beyond  Buxton  we  had  a  fine 
view  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  ground  is  not 
well  fitted  for  vegetation,  being  very  limy — a  fact  that 
is  well  attested  to  by  the  large  number  of  lime-kilns  to 
be  seen  in  every  direction.  The  country  folk  are  princi- 
pally engaged  in  sheep-raising,  and  in  working  the  lead 
mines.  The  latter  are  neither  rich  nor  deep  :  .they  are 
worked  by  what  is  termed  "  surface-mining,"  and  while 
they  give  a  sufficient  subsistence  to  the  individual  miner, 
are  not  of  sufficient  extent  to  pay  profitably  a  large  com- 
pany. About  two  miles  from  Buxton  we  pass  the  hamlet 
of  Peak  Forest,  which  until  within  a  year  or  so  past 
enjoyed  the  same  privileges  as  Gretna  Green,  and  was 
extensively  patronized  by  runaway  lovers.  The  situation 
is  very  picturesque,  and  the  old  keeper  (quite  a  curiosity 
in  his  way)  will  for  a  pittance  tell  many  a  strange  story 
whose  scene  lies  within  these  walls. 

A  few  miles  further  on  we  come  to  the  ebbing  and 
flowing  well.  It  is  considered  one  of  the  wonders  of 
Derbyshire.  The  water  flows  for  five  minutes,  at  inter- 
vals of  every  ten,  and  the  quantity  thrown  up  at  each  flow 
is  about  1 20  hogsheads.  The  water  was  flowing  out  when 
we  reached;  yet,  though  we  sat  on  the  bank  for  fifteen 
or  twenty  minutes,  we  were  not  favoured  with  a  sight  of 
the  sudden  flow — probably  owing  to  the  long  drought. 

About  7  in  the  evening  we  came  in  sight  of  Mam 
Tor,  or  "  the  Shivering  Mountain,"  one  of  the  highest  in 
the  Peak,  having  an  altitude  of  2,000  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  sea. 

At  the  top  of  the  Mam  Tor  is  the  entrance  to  the 
famous  Blue  John  Mine.  Dismounting  from  our  vehicle, 


274  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

we  sent  it  on  to  the  town,  and  tried  to  obtain  admission 
to  the  little  hut  guarding  the  mouth  of  the  cavern.  We 
were  too  late,  and  were  obliged  to  turn  our  footsteps  to- 
ward the  hotel.  Following  a  sheep  path  which  leads 
around  the  mountain,  again  the  valley  burst  upon  us, 
more  extensive  and  more  beautiful  than  before.  The  sun 
was  still  bright  upon  the  steep  rugged  summit  of  the  Tor, 
while  over  the  valley  the  subdued  twilight  was  stealing 
rapidly.  Soon  regaining  the  road,  a  few  steps  brought  us 
to  Castleton,  a  little  old  English  town  where  coaching 
days  are  still  a  thing  of  the  present.  Its  houses  of  old 
gray  stone  half  hidden  by  the  clinging  vines — their  snow- 
white  stoops  attesting  to  the  cleanliness  of  the  inhabitants, 
the  long  narrow  lanes,  and  the  old  church  with  its  weather- 
beaten  towers,  all  convey  to  the  mind  an  idea  of  true 
happiness  and  enjoyment. 

At  the  "  Nag's  Head  "  we  found  clean  and  comfortable 
quarters.  Immediately  after  tea  we  started  out  to  hunt 
the  guides,  in  order  that  if  possible  we  might  at  once  see 
the  mines.  By  dint  of  a.  little  Yankee  perseverance  we 
found  the  son  of  the  keeper  of  the  Blue  John,  who  kindly 
offered  us  freely  his  services.  He  joined  us  after  finding 
the  guide  to  the  Speedwell,  and  off  we  started.  Half 
way  up  the  hill,  between  the  top  of  which  and  the  Mam 
Tor  the  turnpike  is  cut,  we  came  to  the  entrance  to  the 
Speedwell.  This  is  an  artificial  opening  made  in  search 
of  lead.  The  work  was  commenced  upwards  of  eighty 
years  ago  by  a  party  of  adventurers  from  Staffordshire, 
who,  after  eleven  years  labour,  gave  up  in  despair.  To 
enter  the  mine  you  descend  106  stone  steps,  at  the  bottom 
of  which  is  the  level,  cut  for  700  feet  through  the  solid 
rock :  this  is  about  7  feet  in  height,  and  through  it  a 


LETTERS  TO  M.  275 

stream  of  pure  water  passes,  about  3  feet  deep At 

the  foot  of  the  steps  we  entered  a  boat,  and  each,  with 
candle  in  hand,  impelled  ourselves  along  by  staples 
fastened  in  the  rock.  At  intervals  of  50  or  60  yards  we 
stuck  candles  in  the  wall,  the  effect  of  which  was  very 
fine.  The  level  terminates  in  a  cavern,  not  unaptly 
termed  the  "  Bottomless  Pit,"  for  its  height  and  depth 
have  never  as  yet  been  measured.  Although  40,000  tons 
of  rock,  obtained  in  blasting,  have  been  thrown  into  this 
gulf,  no  effect  has  been  produced  upon  it,  for  still  the 
fathoming-line  shows  no  bottom  :  although  a  rocket  has 
been  shot  up  to  the  height  of  450  feet,  no  top  could  be 
seen — nothing  but  blackness  and  darkness.  Across  the 
gulf  an  arch  has  been  thrown,  so  that  visitors  can  leave 
the  boat  and  gaze  into  the  darkness.  Our  guide  climbed 
up  the  side  of  the  cavern  to  the  height  of  about  100  feet, 
and  there  ignited  a  blue  light.  The  effect  was  grand:  the 
huge  masses  of  rock,  that  never  saw  the  light  of  the  sun, 
looming  out  from  the  darkness  and  casting  their  black 
shadows  on  the  walls  behind,  rising  higher  and  higher 
until  lost  in  impenetrable  gloom — all  this  produced  upon 
us  a  strange,  indescribable  effect.  To  be  thus  far  in  the 
bowels  of  the  earth,  witnessing  the  stupendous,  silent 
workings  of  nature,  it  made  us  feel  somewhat  of  the  great- 
ness and  wondrous  power  of  Him  who  is  nature's 
God. 

Returning  again  to  our  boat,  we  looked  far  down  the 
stream,  and  there  we  could  see  the  lights  which  we  had 
left,  sparkling  like  jewel-drops  upon  the  water.  We  made 
ourselves  merry  with  songs,  and  the  cavern  echoed  and 
re-echoed  with  the  notes  of  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner," 
"  Nelly  was  a  Lady,"  &c. 


276  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Leaving  the  Speedwell,  we  started  for  the  Blue  John, 
through  the  "  Winnats,"  or  Wind  Gates.  This  is  a  deep 
ravine  about  a  mile  in  length,  leading  from  Castleton  to 
the  top  of  the  mountain  opposite  the  Mam  Tor,  and  is 
wild  and  rugged  beyond  description.  It  derives  its  name 
from  the  howling  made  by  the  wind  as  it  sweeps  through 
it.  On  either  side  the  pass  are  precipices  rising  to  a 
great  height,  dark,  rugged,  and  steep ; — they  seem  the  very 
embodiment  of  all  that  is  forbidding  and  stern.  Yet  they 
are  not  devoid  of  beauty,  for  among  their  crags  may  be 
found  lichens  and  mosses  of  rare  form  and  beauty;  and 
these,  mingling  with  the  more  gaudy  colouring  of  the 
surrounding  flowers,  seem  to  bring  out  in  still  bolder 
relief  the  huge  cliffs  to  which  they  are  attached. 

After  a  weary  walk  we  reached  the  entrance  of  the 
Blue  John  Mine — the  only  place  in  the  world  where  any 
quantity  of  this  beautiful  mineral  is  found.  It  is  a  fluate 
of  lime,  not  exactly  the  same  as  fluor  spar,  the  latter 
being  crystallized,  and  not  having  the  same  colour  as  the 
former. 

Having  lit  our  lamps  we  descended  into  the  mine,  first 
down  a  number  of  steps  into  a  small  cavern,  then  along 
a  narrow  passage  lined  with  beautiful  sparkling  stalactites, 
then  down  winding  steps  100  feet  more,  when  we  stood 

in  Lord  Mulgrave's  Dining-Room Passing  on,  we 

came  to  a  large  cavern  where  our  guide  lit  a  Bengola 
light — the  effect  was  grand,  the  stalactites  and  stalagmites 
being  coloured.  We  then  retraced  our  steps  and  stopped 
at  a  spring  where  we  drank  Adam's  ale,  pure  and  cold, 

trickling  from  the  rock We  then  passed  into  the 

end  of  the  workings,  to  see  the  Blue  John  in  its  natural 
state,  after  which  we  ascended  to  the  upper  air.  Regis- 


LETTERS  TO  M.  277 

tering  our  names,  and  having  procured  some  splendid 
specimens  of  the  Blue  John,  we  returned  to  town  at  mid- 
night. Not  a  light  was  seen  or  sound  to  be  heard  ;  so, 
weary  with  the  labour,  of  the  day,  we  slipped  away  to 
bed. 

June  8 — CASTLETON. — Rose  at  7,  and  before  breakfast 
walked  to  see  the  Peak  Cavern.  The  entrance  to  this 
is  through  a  deep  gorge  in  the  Peak,  whose  summit  is 
crowned  by  the  famous  castle,  once  one  of  the  most 

powerful  strongholds  in  Britain The  little  winding 

path  leading  up  to  the  mouth  of  the  cavern  is  eminently 
picturesque.  On  one  side  the  rock  is  fringed  with 
shrubbery  and  stunted  pines,  while  the  other  rises  a 
barren  rugged  steep,  from  the  crevices  of  which  flocks  of 
jackdaws  fly  forth  at  the  slightest  sound,  and  fill  the  air 
with  their  harsh  screams.  The  mouth  of  the  cave,  which 
is  almost  a  perfect  archway,  is  45  feet  high,  120  feet 
wide,  and  about  50  feet  deep.  This  part  of  the  cavern 
is  used  as  a  rope  and  twine  factory,  and  the  burr  of  the 
machinery,  the  sharp  voices  of  the  cord-winders,  together 
with  the  little  cottage  half  hidden  among  the  rocks,  give 
to  the  scenery  a  wild  effect,  as  though  this  were  the 
home  of  some  unnatural  beings 

The  castle  on  the  summit  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  interesting  of  Norman  fortresses.  A  venerable 
wreck  of  other  days,  "  it  is  the  silent  monument  of 
days  when  '  might  made  right,'  and  its  history  tells  of  a 
time  when  the  passions  of  men  ruled  over  truth  and 
justice." 

After  breakfast  we  took  a  fly  for  Edensor.  A  very 
pleasant  ride  of  1 1  miles  brought  us  to  the  door  of 


278  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

the  "  Castle  Hotel,"  at  one  of  the  entrances  to  Chats- 
worth.  Having  ordered  a  dinner  to  be  ready  for  us 
on  our  return,  we  set  off  to  see  this  mansion  fit  for  a  king. 
Crossing  the  Derwent  by  a  substantial  stone  bridge,  we 
soon  found  ourselves  confronting  the  gilded  iron  gate 
surmounted  by  two  rampant  stags.  The  hour  of  opening 
not  having  arrived,  we  strolled  through  the  stables;  and 
with  them  I  must  say  I  was  greatly  disappointed  :  true, 
they  are  large,  and  are  built  of  stone,  but  I  have  seen 
in  our  own  country  stables  cleaner,  better  arranged,  and 

much  more  substantially  and  elegantly  fitted  up 

Returning  to  the  entrance,  we  were  conducted  to  the 
house  by  an  old  man  in  livery,  whose  red  nose  and  livid 
cheeks  led  us  strongly  to  believe  that  he  had  these  many 
years  enjoyed  the  good  things  of  this  life.  At  the  house 
we  were  put  in  charge  of  the  housekeeper,  who  put  us 
through  with  lightning  speed.  No  time  was  allowed  for 
anything.  When  we  came  to  the  room  where  the 
minerals  and  malachite  vases  were,  I  wanted  to  stop;  but 

no,  we  must  pass  on,  as  another  party  was  waiting 

The  Picture  Galleries  are  miserably  arranged — so  narrow 
that  one  cannot  get  at  a  proper  distance  to  enjoy  a  picture ; 
and  very  poorly  lighted — instead  of  having  an  open  ex- 
posure, the  light  comes  in  through  a  court.  One  painting 
in  the  gallery  struck  me  as  very  fine — it  was  called 
"  Monks  at  Prayer."  The  double  light  from  the  setting 
sun  and  swinging  lamps  produced  a  marvellous  effect. 
The  drawing  was  good,  each  monk's  face  being  a  study 
in  itself. 

In  the  Billiard  Room  is  Landseer's  celebrated  picture, 
entitled  "  Bolton  Abbey  in  the  Olden  Time."  I  have 
long  been  familiar  with  the  spirited  engraving  taken  from 


LETTERS  TO  M.  279 

this  picture,  but  it  falls  far  below  the  original.  The 
happy  look  of  the  old  prior  as  he  surveys  the  good  things 
spread  out  before  him,  the  stag  whose  body  seems  almost 
to  quiver  with  departing  life,  and  the  sparkling  fish — all 
are  masterpieces  of  art 

The  walls  of  the  Sculpture  Gallery  are  of  polished 
gritstone,  which  forms  a  very  effective  background  for  the 
statuary.  We  first  noticed  Canova's  celebrated  statue  of 
"  Napoleon's  Mother."  There  was  something  about  it  so 
subdued  ; — the  position  is  not  tragic,  there  is  nothing 
grand,  but  that  quiet,  dignified  air  of  repose  which  so 
well  becomes  such  a  subject.  I  was  better  pleased  with 

it  than  with  anything  else  in  the  room A  bust  of 

"  Petrarch's  Laura,"  by  Canova,  is  also  well  worth  atten- 
tion, and  though  small,  and  in  rather  an  obscure  posi- 
tion, is  one  of  the  gems  of  the  collection 

Passing  from  the  Gallery  we  enter  the  Orangery. 
Most  of  the  plants  in  this  collection  were  the  property 
of  Josephine  when  at  Malmaison.  Here  we  leave  the 
house,  rather  disappointed  at  having  been  hurried  through, 
— still,  not  less  impressed  with  its  splendour.  Taking 
another  guide,  we  proceed  to  the  Grand  Conservatory. 
This  mountain  of  glass  covers  an  acre  of  ground.  No 
more  enchanting  sight  can  greet  the  eye  than  the  one 
presented  on  entering  this  crystal  structure.  Stately 
palms,  gracefully  waving  acacias,  and  the  slender  sugar- 
cane, luxuriate  in  their  own  soil,  and  in  the  temperature 
best  suited  to  their  growth  and  perfection. 

Leaving  this,  we  pass  along  by  the  waterfall  and  foun- 
tains, thence  round  by  the  front  of  the  house,  and  emerge 
at  the  gate  parallel  to  the  one  at  which  we  entered. 

From  Chatsworth  we  drove  to  Haddon  Hall.  .    .  .  This 


28o  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

is  situated  on  a  natural  limestone  elevation  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  river  Wye.  The  first  glimpse  which  we 
caught  of  it  was  eminently  picturesque.  Its  embattled 
turrets  and  castellated  form  rising  from  a  grove  of  noble 
trees  impressed  us  deeply.  Arriving  in  front  of  the 
building,  a  narrow  lane  led  to  the  ancient  bridge  across 
the  Wye ;  a  few  steps  more  and  we  stood  at  the  castle 
gate.  How  old  it  looks! — the  wood  rotted  away  from 
the  massive  bolts,  and  whole  framework  seeming  just 
ready  to  fall  to  the  ground. 


MATLOCK,  BATH,  DERBYSHIRE, 
June  g,  1861. 

We  arrived  at  this  delightful  place  last  evening 

from  Chatsworth  and  dear  old  Haddon  Hall  (or,  as  the 
natives  say,  "dear  hold  Addon  All"),  and  are  now  very 
comfortably  quartered  in  the  "New  Bath  Hotel" — the 
nicest  English  house  that  I  have  as  yet  met  with.  Every- 
thing is  so  clean  and  neat — attentive  servants,  an  agree- 
able landlady,  and  capital  cooking 

This  afternoon  I  am  going  to  visit  Lea  Hurst,  the 
home  of  Florence  Nightingale.  I  regret  that  she  is  at 
present  absent,  as  a  gentleman  here,  a  friend  of  hers 
and  mine,  would  take  me  to  call  on  her  were  she  at 
home. 

I  have  a  poor  opinion  of  many  of  the  English  people. 
Many  who  call  themselves  ladies  and  gentlemen  have, 
according  to  my  ideas,  very  little  politeness.  On  several 
occasions,  when  they  have  found  that  I  was  an  American, 
they  have  made  the  most  insulting  remarks  in  regard  to 


LETTERS  TO  M.  281 

my  country,  which,  at  the  present  time,  are  both  un- 
christian and  unfeeling.  I  always  try  never  to  lower 
myself  by  saying  anything  ungentlemanly,  but  I  give 
them  back  in  their  own  coin.  Yesterday,  to  one  who 
had  been  taunting  me  in  a  most  sarcastic  manner  for 
two  days,  I  gave  a  few  home  thrusts  which  made  his  ears 
tingle.  It  is  not  every  one  who  acts  thus,  but  the  snobo- 
cracy,  the  "  would-be-woulds,"  monied  toad-stools,  that 
have  sprung  suddenly  upon  some  wave  of  fortune,  and 
take  upon  themselves  airs  as  though  William  the  Con- 
queror were  their  father  and  they  had  a  universal 

license  to  patronize  and  snub  whom  they  please 

You  cannot  make  the  English  understand  America.  Their 
perceptions  are  not  quick,  and  I  have  talked  in  vain,  for 
hours,  trying  to  explain,  as  well  as  I  could,  our  Federal 
institutions.  They  are  a  solid,  substantial,  noble-hearted 
people;  but,  oh,  how  self-righteous!  England  and  her 
deeds  are  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  all  they  know.  Were 
it  not  for  England,  the  world  would  go  helter  skelter 
through  space,  and  no  power  could  stop  it 


"  THE  ELMS,"  MANCHESTER, 
June  16,  1861. 

This  is  the  twilight  hour.  The  sun  is  just  setting 
gloriously,  and  my  blinds  are  rustling  with  a  delicious 
breeze — grateful  indeed,  after  so  warm  a  day.  The 
weather  has  been  perfect,  though  a  shade  too  warm  for 
almost  a  week.  I  am  hoping  for  a  cool  continuance 
while  I  visit  London.  This  morning  I  heard  Rev.  Mr. 
M'Caw.  His  text  was,  "  For  our  God  is  a  consuming 


282  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

fire."  The  sermon  was  extemporaneous,  and  very  good; 
the  more  so  because  his  words  came  from  the  heart. 
After  tea  I  took  my  little  Union  Hymn  Book  and  re- 
freshed myself  with  some  of  its  sweet  familiar  hymns. 
A  little  while  ago  I  was  walking  round  Kensall  Moor : 
the  scene  was  calm  and  lovely.  Looking  toward  the 
city,  the  chimneys  were  silent,  the  busy  hum  of  machinery 
was  hushed,  the  heavy  rumbling  of  carts  was  unheard — 
all  was  rest,  quiet  Sabbath  rest.  Thought  I,  Is  my  soul 
thus  at  rest1?  and  then  again,  Happy  that  it  is  not ;  for 
woe  be  to  him  whose  soul  dwells  at  ease,  and  is  lulled  in 
peaceful  security!  Though  we  are  not  at  rest,  tossed 
about  on  this  troubled  sea  of  life,  buffeted  by  sorrow  and 
sin,  yet  "  there  remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God." 
How  the  soul  leaps  with  joy  at  this  blessed  declaration ! 
how  it  spurs  us  on  to  be  faithful  unto  the  end,  that  there 
is  a  rest !  Not  always  shall  it  be  thus ;— not  always  shall 
it  be  that  every  joy  has  its  proportionate  sorrow,  that 
every  pleasure  has  its  pain.  No,  no;  there  is  a  rest!  rest, 
eternal,  perfect  rest,  for  the  souls  of  God's  children.  How 
I  love  to  think  about  it!  How  I  love  to  let  my  soul  soar 
away  to  those  realms  of  bliss,  and  feast  itself  upon  visions 

of  heavenly  rest ! 

You  say  rightly,  that  "  literary  pursuits,  love  of  poetry, 
&c.,  may  be  carried  to  such  ah  extent  as  to  utterly  unfit 
us  for  every-day  life."  The  poetical  mind  is  rarely  the 
practical  mind;  it  dwells  on  the  ideal,  the  unreal,  and 
rarely  descends,  and  never  with  pleasure,  to  those  simple 
matter-of-fact  things  of  which  man's  life  is  made  up, 
and  upon  which  so  much  of  his  happiness  depends. 

Tuesday  evening. — Here  I  am  at  last  in  London,  and 


LETTERS  TO  M.  283 

alone.  It  was  bad  enough  when  I  had  company;  but 
now  it  is  a  thousand-fold  worse.  I  felt  it  so  much  after 
I  arrived; — sitting  down  to  my  dinner  alone,  all  strangers 
about  me;  walking  up  and  down  the  thronged  streets 
without  meeting  one  single  familiar  face ;  and  at  last  corn- 
ing up  here  to  my  little  room  without  speaking  one 
familiar  word  to  anybody.  Is  it  a  wonder  that  it  makes 
me  home-sick,  and  that  I  long  to  be  back  again  with 
those  who  love  me?  There  may  be  pleasure  in  travelling 
when  one  has  congenial  company,  but  there  is  none  to 
me  when  I  have  none To-morrow  I  intend  consult- 
ing Dr.  Quain,  said  to  be  very  skilful  in  diseases  of  the 
chest.  Although  I  feel  quite  well,  I  would  like  to  have 
his  opinion.  I  shall  stay  here  a  week  or  so,  and  then 
go  to  Cumberland 


LONDON,  June  22,  1861. 

On  Wednesday  I  went  to  St.  James's  Park  to 

see  the  Queen  pass  to  the  Drawing  Room.  As  this  was 
her  first  public  appearance  since  her  mother's  death,  all 
London  was  agog,  and  never  did. I  see  such  a  collection 
of  finery  and  toggery  as  was  then  and  there  presented. 
For  at  least  two  hours  a  continuous  stream  of  magnificent 
equipages  rolled  up  to  the  Palace  door.  At  about  2  o'clock 
music  was  heard,  and,  preceded  by  the  Royal  Life  Guards, 
Her  Majesty, came  from  Buckingham  Palace.  I  had  a 
capital  view  of  her,  and  I  assure  you  she  is  just  the  image 
of  the  little  photograph  which  I  have  shown  you.  She 
was  dressed  in  black,  with  a  head-dress  of  black  feathers 
— no  jewels  were  to  be  seen.  I  had  also  a  good  look  at 


284  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D,  STUART. 

the  Princess  Alice.  She  is  very  pretty,  and  I  really  feel 
sorry  that  she  is  to  be  married  to  the  Prince  of  Hesse. 
A  poor  thing  royalty  is,  that  a  man  cannot  choose  his 
own  wife,  nor  a  woman  her  husband. 


LONDON,  jfune  23,  1861. 

Another  Sabbath  evening.  Yesterday  uncle  J.  arrived, 
so  that  to-day  I  had  company.  This  morning,  shortly 
after  breakfast,  we  started  out  to  Surrey  Chapel  to  hear 
Newman  Hall.  It  is  an  octagonal  building,  one  story 
high,  and  having  a  very  shabby  appearance.  It  is,  never- 
theless, a  sacred  spot,  for  its  walls  have  re-echoed  with 
the  eloquence  of  Rowland  Hill,  of  Sherman,  and  last,  but 
by  no  means  least,  of  Newman  Hall.  It  is  of  the  Inde- 
pendents, but  Mr.  Hall  being  one  of  the  Countess  of 
Huntingdon's  Connexion,  a  part  of  the  Church  of  England 
service  is  also  read.  After  the  service  Mr.  Hall  entered 
the  pulpit.  Imagine  a  tall,  rather  thin  man,  having  a 
long,  pale  face,  with  black  side  whiskers,  partially  bald, 
and  with  a  deep  set  black  eye.  The  very  moment  he 
opens  his  mouth  you  are  riveted,  and  he'carries  you  with 
him  whithersoever  he  will;  nor  is  the  charm  broken  until 
he  ceases  to  speak.  It  seemed  to  me  as  though  the 
mantle  of  the  sainted  Hill,  whose  bust  is  immediately 
behind  the  pulpit,  had  indeed  descended  upon  him  with 
all  its  freshness  and  power.  His  text  was  Col.  iii.  12,  13, 
and  such  a  sermon  I  have  rarely  listened  to — such  grap- 
pling with"  error — such  brilliant  showing  forth  of  the 
truth  and  power  of  God's  word — such  argumentation ;  all 
coupled  with  the  deepest  tenderness  and  love  for  the 


LETTERS  TO  M.  28$ 

souls  of  his  hearers,  and  with  most  earnest  pleading  that 

they  would  look  unto  Jesus  and  be  saved 

There  is  one  thing  to  which  I  cannot  reconcile  myself 
here ;— it  is  the  common  practice  of  going  from  place  to 
place  in  omnibuses  on  the  Sabbath.  I  know  it  must  be 
done,  as  the  distances  are  so  great ;  still,  it  seems  to  me 
unlike  the  Sabbath.  At  this  hotel,  "Castle  and  Falcon," 
they  are  very  strict :  when  I  went  down  to  the  coffee- 
room  this  morning  I  found  all  the  newspapers  removed, 
and  good  religious  books  scattered  along  the  tables,  and 
the  waiters  who  were  disengaged  reading  their  Bibles. 
Where  in  America  would  we  see  such  a  sight  as  this? .... 

Monday  evening. — You  will  see  by  the  papers  which  I 
send  you  that  London  has,  within  the  past  forty-eight 
hours,  met  with  two  severe  losses ; — one  in  the  very  sudden 
death  of  the  Lord  Chancellor;  and  the  other,  the  great 
fire,  which  broke  out  on  Saturday  afternoon  and  is  still 
raging.  On  Sabbath  morning  the  Superintendent  of  the 
Fire  Brigade  was  crushed  by  the  falling  walls  He  was 
an  elder  in  Dr.  Cumming's  church,  and  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  him.  I  was  told  this  morning  by  a  gentleman 
connected  with  the  Phoenix,  the  oldest  and  best  insurance 
company  in  London,  that  the  loss  thus  far  is  ^£3, 000,000 
sterling.  The  river  is  covered  with  tallow  from  the  vaults. 
And  this  evening  another  of  the  warehouses  took  fire,  and 

is  now  burning:  it  contains  18,000  barrels  of  tallow 

I  spent  most  of  this  afternoon  at  Smith,  Beck  and  Beck's, 
the  great  microscope  makers,  where  I  fairly  revelled  in 
beautiful  microscopic  preparations;  nor  did  I  come  away 
without  my  trophies — the  temptations  were  too  strong  to 
resist.  .  » 


286  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

LONDON,  June  28,  1861. 

I  passed  the  whole  afternoon  just  looking  through 

the  British  Museum.  It  is  indeed  a  wonderful  place,  and 
far  surpassed  my  highest  expectation 

I  was  not  particularly  struck  with  the  Elgin  Marbles.  It 
may  be  a  great  want  of  refined  taste  in  me  to  say  so;  but 
I  think  if  the  laudations  of  most  people  were  sifted  to 
the  bottom,  they  would  come  to  the  same  conclusion. 
They  may  be  interesting  to  the  antiquarian,  but  I  do  not 
see  where  the  lines  of  beauty  are  in  those  crumbling 
stumps.  Suppose  the  figures  were  perfect,  the  marble  is 
always  rough  and  crumbling  on  the  surface,  and  they  look 
just  like  a  statue  before  it  is  cut  out  or  polished. 

There  is  some  beautiful  statuary  in  the  Grand  Hall  and 
in  the  Lycian  Room.  Many  of  the  Assyrian  Remains 
were  very  interesting,  more  on  account  of  their  antiquity 
than  anything  else. 

From  the  Statuary  I  went  to  the  Library.  Here  I  was 
perfectly  amazed  at  the  vastness  of  the  collection.  Noth- 
ing is  to  me  a  more  pleasing  sight  than  a  fine  collection 
of  books.  With  the  Autographs  I  was  fascinated,  and 
spent  a  long  time  in  trying  to  decipher  some  of  them. 
Think  of  gazing  upon  words  penned  by  Luther  and 
Calvin,  Erasmus  and  Huss;  of  seeing  the  very  Prayer 
Book  written  by  Lady  Jane  Grey,  upon  which  her  eyes 
were  last  fixed  ere  they  were  closed  in  death;  the  Will 
of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,  and  the  Magna  Charta  to  which 
King  John  in  anger  affixed  his  name;  pages  too  of  Childe 
Harold  with  Byron's  own  corrections; — all  these  are  in- 
deed treasures.  Here  are  the  workings  of  mind;  and, 
after  all,  mind  triumphs  over  matter,  for  a  letter  of  Rubens 


LETTERS  TO  M.  287 

will  bring  more  in  proportion  than  one  of  his  paint- 
ings. 

On  Thursday  morning  I  called  at  the  American  Lega- 
tion to  procure  a  ticket  for  the  House  of  Commons.  The 
gentlemen  of  the  Legation  were  dressing  for  the  Drawing 
Room,  to  which  I  could  have  gone,  but  these  hard  times 
I  would  not  spend  almost  $150  for  the  sake  of  an  hour's 
pleasure. 

I  visited  the  Victoria  Cross  Gallery,  paintings  by  M. 
De  Sourges  of  noble  deeds  of  British  soldiers  in  the 
Crimea,  Baltic,  and  India,  for  which  they  have  received 
the  V.  C.  The  collection  is  very  good.  M.  De  S. 
excels  in  the  freeness  of  his  drawing,  together  with  the 
rich  tone  which  he  gives  to  his  pictures. 

From  thence  I  went  to  the  Water-Colour  Exhibition, 
Pall  Mall.  With  these  pictures  I  was  delighted.  There 
was  a  beautiful  painting  of  the  Acropolis,  taken  at  deep 
sunset :  the  whole  front  of  the  building  is  one  blaze  of 
light,  while  far  back  of  the  building  the  moon  is  rising, 
and  its  rays  are  seen  stealing  across  that  part  of  the  porch 
which  is  screened  from  the  more  powerful  rays  of  the 
sun.  There  were  many  other  gems,  of  which  I  have  not 
time  to  speak  now.  One  I  noticed  particularly — a  view 
of  Coblentz  just  after  sunset.  I  never  saw  a  picture  in 
which  subdued,  perfect  rest  was  embodied  as  in  this 


BLACKPOOL,  July  7,  1861. 


A  very  severe  attack  of  neuralgia  in  my  face  has  pre- 
vented me  from  going  to  church  this  morning.  It  began 
yesterday  morning,  kept  me  awake  nearly  all  night,  and 

19 


288  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

is  not  much  better  to-day.  Were  it  not  for  this  I  would 
report  myself  as  perfectly  well.  Yesterday  I  bathed  in 
the  sea,  and  enjoyed  it  greatly.  To-day  is  perfect ; — the 
sea  breeze  is  just  enough  to  be  pleasant,  neither  chilly 
nor  warm.  Here,  as  I  sit  upon  the  Cliff  and  look 
towards  the  West,  my  thoughts  fly  to  that  far  off  land 
where  my  loved  ones  dwell.  How  my  heart  is  yearning 
to  be  with  them !  Often  I  wonder — and  the  thought  for 
the  moment  brings  with  it  a  painful  anxiety — Are  they 
well?  I  shudder  to  think  that  the  hand  of  sickness, 
yes,  and  the  cold,  damp  hand  of  death,  might  be  laid 
upon  some  one  of  them,  and  I  would  not  know  it.  Yes, 
the  grave  might  have  hid  them  for  ever  from  my  sight, 
and  I  would  still  be  looking  fonvard  to  meeting  them 
again  upon  earth.  The  very  thought  of  this  fills  my 
heart  with  the  deepest  sadness,  and  causes  tears  of  regret 
that  I  ever  left  them.  Yet  the  happy  thought  comes, 
and  all  is  well,  "  Say  unto  the  righteous  that  it  shall  be 
well  with  him."  Though  I  would  be  far  from  saying  that 
I  deserve  such  a  name,  still  I  cannot  'but  think  that  I 
have  an  interest  in  this  precious  promise.  My  Father 
cares  for  you  all.  I  know  it.  To  His  care,  in  earnest 
prayer,  have  I  commended  you ;  and  I  know  that  He 
will  do  with  you  all  as  seemeth  good  in  His  sight,  ordering 
all  things  so  that  it  shall  be  well  with  us  in  life,  and  that 
in  the  life  to  come  we  shall  drink  of  rivers  of  pleasure 
for  evermore. 

What  cause  I  have  for  deep  gratitude  to  God  this  day ! 
He  has  in  His  wonderful  goodness  brought  me  back 
almost  from  the  very  gates  of  death,  and  I  am  again 
perfectly  well  and  strong.  Disease  has  not  left  its  fell 
mark  upon  me.  I  am  again  myself,  and  the  world  is 


LETTERS  TO  M.  289 

bright  before  me.     As  Dr.  Quain  told  me,  "  Blessed  with 
a  good  constitution,  you  have  every  prospect  of  a  long 
and  healthful  life,"  what  a  responsibility  rests  upon  me 
to  work  for  Christ !     Although  much  precious  time  has 
been  wasted,  still  it  is  not  all  gone ;  the  opportunities 
have  not  all  fled  ;  there  is  yet  time  to  work,  and  there  is 
much  work  to  be  done.      You  remember  the  reason 
Nehemiah  gave  for  the  rapid  manner  in  which  the  temple 
was  built — "  The  people  had  a  mind  for  the  work."   What 
we  all  need  is  a  mind  to  work  for  Christ.     We  have  mind 
enough  for  the  pleasures  and  pursuits  of  time,  but  little 
enough  for  the  concerns  of  eternity. ..... 

What  Sabbath  desecration  there  is  here  !  You  do  not 
see  one  or  two  persons  engaged  in  some  violent  profana- 
tion of  God's  holy  day,  such  as  swearing,  billiard-playing, 
&c.,  but  nearly  every  one  seems  so  listless.  But  few 
attend  church.  I  heard  an  old  Presbyterian  elder  saying, 
"It  is  too  warm  to  go  to  church  this  morning,"  (the 
thermometer  not  more  than  70°  or  75°;)  yet  he  can  walk 
in  the  sun  up  and  down  the  cliffs  the  whole  morning. 
And  so  it  is — multitudes  lolling  about  on  the  grass,  or 
strolling  along  the  sands,  seeming  as  though  they  thought 
if  they  committed  no  actual  sin  they  were  keeping  the 
Sabbath  properly.  I  really  must  say,  that  as  far  as  I 
have  seen,  the  English  by  no  means  keep  the  Sabbath 

as  well  as  we  do  in  America At  the  dinner-table 

my  neuralgia  became  so  excruciating,  that  in  a  fit  of 
desperation  I  took  chloroform.  It  put  me  asleep,  re- 
moved the  pain,  and  I  have  been  but  a  short  time  up 
from  its  effects.  It  is  now  9  o'clock  ;  the  sun  has  just 
set,  and  the  long,  soft,  English  twilight  has  set  in.  The 
Promenade  is  crowded,  and  from  my  little  window  I  now 


S90  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

look  down  and  see  them  passing  and  repassing  along 
the  Cliff;  yet  though  I  am  alone,  I  am  sure  that  none 
of  them  is  happier  than  I 

There  often  comes  over  me  an  indescribable  feeling 
of  loneliness.  The  only  place  I  feel  at  home  is  at  the 
mercy-seat.  There  I  do  feel  that  I  am  not  at  least  a 
stranger.  Although  very  far  from  what  I  should  be,  I 
feel  that  I  am  welcome,  and  can  tell  all  my  cares  and 
thoughts  to  One  who  can  be  touched  with  a  feeling  of 
my  infirmity — to  One  who  can  enter  fully  into  all  my 
feelings,  and  can  give  me  that  assistance  and  grace  which 
I  so  much  need.  May  that  mercy-seat  ever  be  to  us 
the  happiest,  most  welcome  spot  upon  earth ;  may  we 
ever  go  to  it  with  joyous  hearts,  and  say  when  leaving, 
Truly  "  it  was  good  for  me  to  be  there  : "  there  may  we 
find  a  well  of  purest  joy  and  peace,  from  which  we  may 
drink  to  the  satisfying  of  our  souls 

I  often  think  of  my  own  little  brothers  and  yours. 
The  world  is  before  them,  and  they  are  rapidly  advancing 
toward  its  temptations  and  trials.  God  grant  that  their 
every  talent  may  be  entirely  devoted  to  His  fear  and  ser- 
vice; that  Wisdom's  ways  may  be  their  ways,  and  that  their 
footsteps  may  be  directed  in  her  paths.  My  own  sisters, 
too,  I  often  think  of.  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  for 
them  is  that  they  may  be  saved.  Oh,  that  God  in  His 
infinite  goodness  and  mercy  would  lead  them  seriously 
to  consider  the  things  that  pertain  to  their  peace  before 
they  shall  be  for  ever  hidden  from  their  eyes 

July  $ — Although  the  morning  was  cloudy  and  the 
waves  dashed  angrily  against  the  rocks  as  though  fore- 
boding a  storm,  we  did  not  give  up  our  intention  of 


LETTERS  TO  M.  291 

spending  "the  day  at  Furness  Abbey.  So  after  a  sub- 
stantial breakfast  we  took  the  train  for  Fleetwood,  and 
soon  found  ourselves  at  the  end  of  the  long  pier  jutting 
out  into  Morecambe  Bay.  As  the  tide  here  has  a  rise 
and  fall  of  25  feet,  the  pier  is  necessarily  very  long  and 
high,  so  that  the  steamers  can  land  their  passengers  at 
all  hours.  As  it  was,  the  tide  was  running  out  very 
rapidly,  and  the  waters  of  the  river  Wye,  as  they  rushed 
past,  reminded  us  somewhat  of  the  lower  rapids  at 
Niagara.  Soon  we  were  on  board  the  steam  yacht  Hd- 
vellyn,  and  a  more  beautiful  little  vessel  I  never  saw — 
sharp  as  an  arrow,  and  fitted  up  with  great  comfort  and 
elegance.  Precisely  at  noon  we  cast  off,  and  the  rapid 
stream  swung  us  round  the  light-house  and  out  into  the 
open  bay.  Looking  up  the  bay,  we  could  see  in  the 
distance  the  old  county  town  of  Lancaster ;  while  in  the 
foreground  were  the  famous  Lancaster  Sands,  now  a 
thoroughfare,  but  over  which  in  the  course  of  a  few 
hours  the  water  will  be  flowing  15  or  20  feet  deep. 

The  scenery  of  Morecambe  Bay  has  by  some  been 
said  to  surpass  that  of  the  far-famed  Bay  of  Naples.  Not 
having  seen  the  latter  we  cannot  express  an  opinion.  To 
us  it  was  an  object  of  great  beauty,  as  when  half  way 
across  the  sun  burst  through  the  clouds,  and  away  in  the 
distance  we  saw  the  gray  tops  of  Helvellyn  and  Lang-, 
dale  Rikes,  while  on  either  side  the  hills  were  lined  with 
ripening  grain. 

Soon  the  grim  black  walls  of  Peel  Castle  confront  us, 
and  we  are  again  at  shore.  This  castle  was  built  by  the 
Abbot  of  Furness  in  1327,  for  the  purpose  «f  guarding 
the  adjacent  shore,  from  which  the  abbey  is  "but  a  mile 
or  so  distant.  It  was  used  as  a  depository  for  the 


292  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

treasures  of  the  abbey,  and  the  whole  colony  betook 
themselves  thither  as  a  place  of  retreat  from  hostile  in- 
cursions  

The  castle  consists  of  a  large  tower  or  keep  strongly 
built,  with  two  outer  walls  and  a  deep  moat,  which  at 
high  tide  was  filled  with  water  to  the  depth  of  20  feet. 

The  walls  are  pierced  with  holes  for  the  purpose 

of  pouring  down  melted  lead  upon  the  unbidden  visitors. 
Arquebuse  and  culverin  were  not  scarce,  as  the  many 
remnants  testify ;  and  as  this  was,  in  the  days  of  Queen 
Bess,  the  only  port  between  Milford  Haven  and  Scotland, 
its  being  securely  held  was  of  the  utmost  importance. 

But  we  stay  too  long — the  train  is  waiting,  the  guard 
has  shouted  for  the  third  time,  "  Gentlemen,  please  take 
your  seats" — so  we  must  be  off.  Along  the  narrow 
causeway,  beside  the  green  fields,  and  through  a  long 
dark  tunnel,  and  the  train  suddenly  stops  at  a  beautiful 
little  station,  and  we  are  at  Furness. 

Think  of  it !  the  Vale  of  Deadly  Nightshade  has  been 
disturbed  by  a  railway  ;  it  runs  within  a  few  yards  of 
where  the  old  Baron  of  Kendal  had  hoped  to  sleep  undis- 
turbed ;  it  whirls  along  in  the  very  sight  of  the  high  altar, 
and  the  nave  re-echoes  the  shriek  of  the  engine,  where 
before  was  heard  the  Jubilate  Deo  or  the  solemn  requiem 
for  the  dead.  The  abbot's  lodge  has  been  rebuilt  for  a 
railway  station,  and  a  pretty  one  it  is  with  its  flying  but- 
tresses and  antique  chimneys,  almost  leading  one  to  watch 
for  the  grave  old  dignitary  himself,  corning  forth  in  cowl 
and  cassock  to  meet  his  guests. 

Having  ordered  dinner  we  sally  forth And  now 

we  enter  the  little  iron  gate  and  the  north  front  of  the 
abbey  is  before  us ; — there  are  the  great  choir  and  nave, 


LETTERS  TO  M.  293 

where  many  a  time  the  long  processions  of  monks  walked 
at  midnight  swinging  their  golden  lamps ;  and  there  the 
carved  sedilia,  where  often  the  old  abbot  sat  in  the  far 
back  times  and  listened  to  the  solemn  notes  of  the  De 
Profundis  chanted  by  twice  a  hundred  voices. 

The  stone  is  a  red  sandstone,  and  the  architecture 
the  severe  Norman,  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the 

Order On  entering,  our  attention  was  first  directed  to 

the  chancel.  It  extends  some  60  or  70  feet  to  the  east- 
ward of  the  body  of  the  church.  It  is  20  feet  broad,  and 
its  walls  are  60  feet  high.  The  great  east  window  was  50 
feet  high;  and  the  painted  window,  judging  from  the  parts 
still  preserved  in  Bowness  Church,  must  have  been  very 

magnificent In  the  centre  of  the  chancel  lies  the 

figure  of  a  knight  in  armour,  cross-legged.  In  the  south 
wall  are  the  sedilia.  These  are  canopied  stalls,  adorned 
in  Gothic  style;  in  them  the  officiating  priest  sat  at  in- 
tervals during  the  service  of  high  mass.  Those  beautiful 
ornaments  have  been  completely  disfigured  by  the  vil- 
lanous  attempts  of  visitors  to  hand  their  names  down  to 
posterity  by  scribbling  and  scratching  them  upon  the  seats 
and  sides In  the  corner  are  two  monuments,  sup- 
posed to  be  of  two  knights  of  the  Lancaster  family  known 
to  be  buried  here. 

From  the  chancel  we  pass  into  the  chapter-house.  Here 
the  Order  sat  in  solemn  conclave  to  try  cases  of  misde- 
meanour and  receive  applicants  for  admission  to  the 
Order.  This  is  the  only  building  marked  with  any  of  the 
elegance  of  Gothic  sculpture.  It  has  been  a  noble  room, 
60x45.  The  roof  was  vaulted,  formed  of  12  ribbed 
arches,  and  supported  by  a  double  row  of  pillars  six  in 
each,  the  capitals  of  which  were  either  plain  or  foliated.  . . . 


294  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Over  this  chapter-house  was  the  scriptorium,  where  the 
monks  illuminated  manuscripts. 

Passing  from  this  and  ascending  the  hill  side,  we  have 
a  good  view  of  the  Vale  of  Deadly  Nightshade,  and  here 
we  would  sit  down  upon  this  grassy  knoll  and  contemplate 
the  lovely  scene.  We  have  had  quite  enough  of  knocking 
our  heads  against  arches  lower  now  than  they  once  were,  and 
of  cracking  our  shins  against  broken  staircases  that  lead  to 
nothing.  To  our  left  the  grand  old  western  tower  stands 
out  against  a  bed  of  green ;  and  there  through  its  broken 
arch  you  may  see  the  avenue  lined  with  the  ash,  through 
which  came  visitors,  knights  and  nobles,  to  enjoy  the 
abbot's  hospitality.  Here  are  the  lakes  well  stocked  with 
fish,  and  the  orchards  with  fruit;  further  on  are  the  little 
cells  where  the  monks  often  retired  to  meditate  and  pray. 

By  far  the  finest  view  we  got  of  the  ruin  was  from  the 
east  side,  when  sitting  upon  the  tombstone  of  some  old 
abbot  we  looked  through  the  vast,  shattered,  ruined  frame 
of  the  once  gorgeous  window,  and  saw  in  perspective  the 
choir  and  distant  arches,  the  remains  of  the  nave  closed 
in  by  the  woods. 

One  of  the  great  beauties  of  Furness  consists  in  the 
luxuriance  of  the  parasitic  foliage,  which  everywhere  is  to 
be  found  clinging  to  the  walls.  Over  the  arches,  around 
the  broken  columns  of  the  chapter-house,  and  in  and  out 
the  vacant  windows  clusters  the  thick  ivy;  and  from  in- 
numerable cracks  and  crannies,  from  nooks  once  adorned 
with  the  effigy  of  saint  or  angel,  droops  the  graceful  fern, 
while  moss  and  lichen  conceal  the  tombs  of  knights  and 
prelates;  and  through  all,  Nature  has  spread  a  luxuriant 
carpet  of  high  green  grass,  and  save  in  one  little  room 
there  is  no  roof  but  hers. 


LETTERS  'TO  M.  295 

Ding-a-ling — ding-a-ling — ding-a-ling  suddenly  broke 
our  reverie,  and  we  were  called  from  the  dead  to  the 
living,  from  contemplation  of  the  past  to  a  consideration 
of  the  present. 

After  a  very  good  dinner,  and  an  hour's  rest  by  way  of 
digestion,  we  resumed  our  seats  in  the  cars  and  soon  were 
back  at  Peel.  Here  our  little  steamer  was  awaiting  us, 
and  soon  had  recrossed  Morecambe  Bay.  Just  as  the 
sun  was  setting  we  found  ourselves  back  at  the  hotel, 
feeling  richly  repaid  by  a  day  spent  at  Furness  Abbey. 


WAST  DALE  HEAD,  HEAD  OF  WAST  WATER, 
FOOT  OF  SCAW  FELL,  July  27,  1861. 

In  this  little  secluded  hamlet,  far  from  civilization,  I 
sit  down  to  write.  The  people  here  are  in  about  the 
1 7th  century — no  post-office,  no  roads,  no  newspapers, 
no  anything.  All  is  primitive,  and  as  ignorant  as  you 
could  well  imagine;  indeed,  from  personal  observation,  I 
do  not  think  that  one  in  ten  can  tell  how  old  he  is.  Here 
in  this  little  valley,  not  more  than  two  miles  square,  they 
have  lived  as  their  fathers  and  grandfathers  did  before 
them,  and  many  of  them  have  reached  manhood  and 
never  saw  the  outer  world  except  from  the  mountain-top 
when  hunting  lost  sheep 

The  reason  why  I  have  time  to  write  here  is,  that  the 
rest  of  my  party,  consisting  of  my  two  cousins  arid  a  clever 
young  gentleman  from  Liverpool  whom  we  met  yester- 
day, have  gone  on  to  the  top  of  Scaw  Fell  Pike  (3,160 
feet),  while  I,  poor  city  boy,  had  to  give  out.  I  became 
so  nervous  and  so  dizzy  that  I  concluded  prudence  would 


296  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

be  much  the  better  part  of  valour.  I  had  got  to  the  top 
of  Ling  Mell  (1,500  feet),  almost  perpendicular,  when  my 
heart  began  to  beat  so  violently,  and  I  became  so  giddy 
as  to  have  to  lie  down  for  some  time.  Finding  it  quite 
impossible  for  me  to  go  on  although  the  tug  was  over, 
I  requested  the  party  to  go  forward,  intending  to  come 
down  alone.  Coming  down  was  harder  than  going  up, 
the  grass  being  so  wet  and  the  stones  so  loose  as  that 
many  times  I  would  slip  twenty  or  thirty  feet  before  I 
would  get  my  footing.  After  getting  back  to  our  little 
farm-house  I  took  my  glass  and  walked  down  to  the 
head  of  the  lake  to  get  a  view  of  Scaw  Fell,  and  a  grand 
one  I  did  get.  Just  as  I  arrived  at  the  best  place,  the 
misty  curtain  was  lifted  from  the  top  of  the  Pikes,  and 
then  I  saw  them,  gray  and  barren,  in  bold  relief  against 
the  deep  blue  sky.  After  looking  for  about  ten  minutes, 
Mr.  Scaw  Fell,  thinking  I  had  seen  quite  enough,  and 
being  perhaps  rather  modest,  put  on  his  night-cap  and 
retired.  I  have  got  many  mosses  and  ferns  upon  the 
hill  and  crags,  which  I  am  pressing  in  a  book.  Could 
my  friends  see  me  I  am  sure  they  would  be  amused — a 
pair  of  treble  thick  soled  boots,  breeches  to  the  knees, 
satchel  on  my  back,  my  little  cap  adorned  with  stag  moss, 
and  to  crown  all,  a  good  shillelah  to  assist  my  pedes- 
trianisms. . 


EDINBURGH,  July  31,  1861. 

Here  I  am  in  this  beautiful  old  town  of  eleven-storied 
houses  and  bare-legged  soldiers — this  city  of  Knox  and 
Chalmers;  and  where,  above  all  other  places,  they  talk 


LETTERS  TO  M.  297 

so  much  and  know  so  little  about  America.  The  Messrs. 
Nelson  have  received  me  with  the  greatest  cordiality: 
to-day  I  dine  with  them :  they  have  invited  me  to  spend 
a  week  at  their  country  house  in  the  island  of  Arran — 
an  invitation  I  am  inclined  to  accept,  as  I  know  I  will 

have  a  pleasant  time 

From  my  window  I  have  a  fine  view  of  the  city; — to 
the  right  is  the  old  Castle,  with  its  huge  Mons  Meg  point- 
ing towards  me;  in  front  is  the  Old  Town,  with  its  Cow- 
gate  and  Grassmarket — the  silent  witnesses  to  the  per- 
secutions of  those  of  whom  it  is  said  that 

" persecution  dragged  them  into  fame, 

And  chased  them  up  to  heaven," 

Between  the  Old  and  the  New  Town  there  is  a  deep 
ravine,  which  has  been  turned  into  a  beautiful  prome- 
nade, beneath  which  the  railroad  runs;  a  little  to  my  left 
is  the  magnificent  monument  erected  to  Sir  Walter  Scott ; 
while  further  on  is  the  Calton  Hill,  crowned  with  a  monu- 
ment to  Nelson.  In  the  background  are  Arthur's  Seat 
and  Salisbury  Crags,  at  whose  foot  may  be  seen  the 
ancient  towers  of  Holyrood,  where  the  beautiful  Mary 
once  reigned  supreme,  and  where  her  favourite  Rizzio 

met  a  bloody  death 

The  residence  of  my  friends  the  Nelsons  is  at  the 
foot  of  Arthur's  Seat  and  Salisbury  Crags,  and  from  their 
drawing-room  windows  there  is  a  splendid  view  of  the 
neighbouring  loch,  the  fields  of  Preston,  and  the  ruins 
of  Craigmillar  Castle,  once  a  residence  of  Queen  Maty. 
On  opening  the  door  I  was  greeted  by  the  word  "  Salve," 
inscribed  in  the  tiled  vestibule ;  and  I  assure  you  it  was 
no  empty  word — it  was  welcome  indeed,  as  hearty  from 


298  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

the  ladies  as  it  had  been  from  the  gentlemen  of  the 
family.  After  dinner,  in  company  with  Messrs.  William 
and  Thomas  Nelson,  I  drove  to  the  Grange  Cemetery 
to  visit  the  grave  of  Dr.  Chalmers.  It  was  just  at  dusk, 
and  the  gates  were  shut,  but  we  obtained  admission 
from  the  keeper.  We  walked  slowly  up  that  gravel  walk 
along  which  once  moved  a  sorrow-stricken  city  to  do 
their  last  homage  at  the  grave  of  him  who  was  the  noble 
champion  of  their  religious  liberty.  Almost  at  the  end 
of  the  walk  we  came  to  the  spot  where,  marked  by  a 
massive  slab,  repose  the  remains  of  Thomas  Chalmers. 
Turning  round,  attracted  by  a  familiar  name,  I  stood  be- 
side the  grave  of  your  former  co-pastor  Mr.  Dickinson;  and 
from  his  grave  I  plucked  a  few  flowers,  which  I  am  press- 
ing and  will  bring  home  to  Mrs.  D.,  as  I  am  sure  she 
will  value  them.  A  little  further  on  I  was  again  at- 
tracted by  a  slab  of  Aberdeen  granite,  on  which  was 
chiselled  the  name  Hugh  Miller:  here  again  I  involun- 
tarily stopped,  and  thought  of  that  gigantic  mind,  over- 
wrought and  over-tasked,  which  perished  ere  its  rich 

treasures  were  fully  given  to  the  world 

This  morning,  while  pressing  the  flowers  collected  last 
evening,  my  friend  M'Farlane  made  his  appearance.  I 
was  delighted  to  see  one  so  fresh  from  home,  and  we  had 
a  long  talk,  after  which  we  ascended  Sir  Walter  Scott's 
beautiful  monument.  From  thence  we  went  to  Edinburgh 
Castle,  where  we  spent  some  time  in  wandering  about  and 
inspecting  the  famous  Crown  jewels,  dating  back  to  King 
Robert  Bruce ;  we  also  saw  Mary  Queen  of  Scots'  room, 
in  which  James  First  of  England  was  born.  Returning 
down  High  Street,  along  which  many  a  martyr  has  been 
hurried,  we  entered  Grey  Friars'  Churchyard,  where  our 


LETTERS  TO  M.  299 

covenanting  forefathers  signed  the  testimony  with  their 
blood,  and  where  is  the  monument  erected  to  the  memory 
of  those  who  fell  martyrs  in  the  cause  of  "  Christ's  crown 
and  covenant."  Here  we  saw  also  the  monument  to 

Alexander  Henderson,  the  great  Reformer 

Edinburgh  is  a  charming  city;  and  when  in  the  Old 
Town  it  requires  but  little  stretch  of  imagination  to  fancy 
one's  self  living  two  or  three  centuries  ago 


LAMLASH,  ISLAND  OF  ARRAN,  FIRTH  OF  CLYDE. 
August  n,  1861. 

I  cannot  realize  that  in  years  I  am  a  man ;  so 

gradually  has  the  change  stolen  upon  me,  that  now  when 
it  has  come  I  know  it  not.  I  trust  I  feel  what  a  solemn 
and  important  thing  it  is  to  set  out  right — to  make  a 
proper  beginning  in  the  world,  for  very  much  of  a  man's 
future  happiness  and  success  depends  upon  this.  How 
many  a  bitter  hour  and  saddening  thought  it  spares  him; 
and  what  delight  he  has  in  thinking  that  from  the  begin- 
ning all  has  been  well ! . . . . 

I  am  enjoying  myself  exceedingly.  All  day  long  I 
am  out  sailing,  fishing,  or  walking;  so  that  now  I  am  as 
brown  as  a  berry;  but  what  difference  does  that  make, 
when  one's  health  is  good. 

My  plan  for  Switzerland  is  now  pretty  well  matured. 
I  shall  leave  here  on  Thursday  night,  and  reach  Liver- 
pool early  on  Friday  morning,  where  we  will  make  our 
necessary  purchases.  On  Saturday  morning  we  will  all 
start  for  London,  and  spend  the  Sabbath  either  there  or 
in  Paris — probably  in  London.  We  will  then  push  on  to 


300  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Switzerland,  visiting  Geneva,  Lucerne,  Chamouni,  St 
Bernard,  and  in  fact  everything  of  interest  on  the  way. 
I  am  trying  to  arrange  matters  so  as  to  be  in  Geneva 
when  the  Evangelical  Alliance  meets ;  and  on  my  way 
back  I  will  stop  in  Paris  and  London 


LAMLASH,  ISLAND  OF  ARRAN,  August  18,  1861. 

Again  the  Sabbath  has  returned.  All  night  long  a 
fearful  storm  has  been  raging,  and  to-day  is  as  wild  as 
you  could  possibly  imagine.  The  wind  is  not  sighing, 
but  howling  down  the  glen;  and  the  waves  are  breaking 

angrily  along  the  shore I  feel  myself  daily  taking 

greater  delight  in  prayer  and  meditation ;  and  yet  I  hardly 
dare  say  this  lest  I  fall  into  temptation,  and  become  in 
a  measure  satisfied  with  my  condition.  Oh,  how  Satan 
does  tempt  me ! — whenever  a  sweet  sense  of  my  Saviour's 
presence  comes  to  me,  whenever  I  am  thinking  with 
delight  on  the  goodness  of  God,  then  Satan  comes  with 
some  evil  thoughts  and  disturbs  my  peace.  But  why 
this1?  Do  I  forget  that  in  this  world  there  is  no  peace,  no 
rest  for  the  weary,  no  comfort?  All  must  be  a  continued, 
continuing  struggle,  until  we  reach  that  higher,  nobler, 
happier  world,  where  all  is  peace.  There  the  Christian 
soldier  shall  at  last  find  rest;  there,  coming  from  the 
dust  and  heat  of  the  conflict,  shall  he  unbuckle  his 
armour,  take  off  his  helmet,  lay  down  his  sword,  and 
being  clad  in  the  emblem  of  peace,  even  the  robe  of 
his  Redeemer's  righteousness,  join  in  the  everlasting 
hymn  of  praise  to  a  glorified  Redeemer,  and  add  another 
voice  to  the  angelic  choir,  singing,  "  Glory,  honour, 


LETTERS  TO  M.  301 

praise  and  power,  to  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 
and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever!" 


Sabbath  evening. — The  storm  is  over;  the  angry  sea  is 
at  rest ;  the  wind  has  died  away,  and  everything  has  that 
peaceful  look  which  seems  so  especially  fitting  for  the 
evening  of  this  holy  day.  Oh,  rest,  rest,  rest !  "  that  I 
might  fly  away  and  be  at  rest!"  This  has  all  day 
long  been  the  burden  of  my  thoughts.  Still,  I  fondly 
hope,  indeed  I  may  say  with  a  full  assurance  of  truth, 
that  we  are  daily  approaching  this  rest;  that  we  can  take 
up  the  words  of  the  beautiful  hymn,  and  sing  from  the 
depths  of  a  happy  soul, — 

"  Here  in  this  body  pent, 

Absent  from  Thee  I  roam  ; 
Yet  nightly  pitch  my  moving  tent 
A  day's  march  nearer  home." 

I  have  often  thought  what  a  blessed  thing  it  would  be 
for  ourselves  if  we  could  enter  heaven  together.  To  be 
together  in  life,  together  in  death,  to  begin  together  our 
eternal  life  in  glory,  would  indeed  be  happiness 

Wednesday  morning. — I  shall  remain  here  perhaps  till 
Monday;  then,  in  company  with  Mr.  Nelson,  go  to 
Oban,  and  make  that  a  central  point  from  which  to 
visit  StafFa,  lona,  and  the  Western  Highlands.  My 
cousin  Andrew,  through  some  misunderstanding,  went 
to  Switzerland  without  me.  I  am,  however,  going  in 
September  so  as  to  be  in  Geneva  at  the  Conference, 
which  opens  on  the  3rd.  Indeed  I  am  very  glad  I  am 
not  on  the  Continent  now;  the  weather  is  so  intensely 
hot  that  no  one  can  travel,  or  even  walk,  in  the  middle 


302  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

of  the  day,  and  I  am  sure  such  weather  would  do  me  no 
good. 

I  often  wish,  when  I  see  these  Scotch  girls  how  they 
walk  and  bear  exposure  without  injury,  that  our  sweet 
lassies  were  just  like  them.  The  fatigue  and  exposure 
which  the  ladies  of  our  party  have  undergone  in  the 
past  ten  days  would,  I  was  going  to  say,  almost  kill  the 
majority  of  American  girls.  Although  the  young  ladies 
here  have  neither  the  delicacy  of  form  nor  feature  which 
characterizes  our  own,  still  they  have  a  fresh  bloom  of 
health  upon  their  cheek,  even  when  well  up  in  years, 
which  I  should  much  like  to  see  exchanged  for  the  too 
often  pale  look  of  our  American  ladies 


LAMLASH,  August  26,  1861. 

I  have  given  up  the  idea  of  going  to  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance,  and  instead  will  attend  the  meeting  of 
the  British  Association  at  Manchester,  which  opens  on 
Wednesday  first 

You  would  be  amused  could  you  look  in  here  almost 
any  day  and  hear  the  battling  I  do  for  America.  Some- 
times I  have  as  many  as  a  dozen  at  me  at  once;  and 
although  I  cannot,  and  would  not,  attempt  to  deny  or 
excuse  much  that  they  say  on  the  Slavery  question,  still 
I  answer  by  suggesting  to  them,  by  way  of  remembrance, 
a  few  of  their  own  vile  sins:  they  all,  however,  do  me 
the  credit  of  saying  that  I  am  the  warmest  advocate  of 
what  is  right  in  America  that  they  have  yet  seen.  Be 
.sure  that  whatever  may  be  the  tone  of  the  English  press, 
or  the  action  of  the  English  Government,  we  have  the 


LETTERS  TO  M.  303 

heartfelt  sympathy  of  the  great  mass  of  the  Scotch  people: 
all  they  want  is  a  little  more  decision  on  the  part  of  the 
North  in  regard  to  the  question  of  Slavery.  Nor  can  I 
think  them  wrong ;  for  I  know  full  well  that  this  question 
was  carefully  and  sedulously  excluded  from  all  the 
prayers  and  addresses  in  the  Union  meetings  during  the 

late  revival 

Sad  news  again  from  our  beloved  America.  Yet  I 
have  not  a  shadow  of  a  doubt  as  to  the  issue.  These 
reverses  have  gained  us  a  sympathy  here  that  success 
never  would  have  done.  . 


BADEN-BADEN,  September  22,  1861. 

To-day  as  I  walked  through  the  town  and  saw 

every  shop  open,  heard  the  band  playing  in  front  of  the 
Keusall,  and  everything  going  on  in  utter  disregard  of 
the  Lord's  Day,  I  felt  that  indeed  I  was  a  stranger  here. 
No  Sabbath!  "  There  is  no  God,"  written  on  the  face  cf 
everything.  Unhappy  country! — poor,  miserable  people! 
I  could  not  refrain  from  lifting  up  my  heart  in  thanks- 
givings that  my  lot  was  not  cast  in  this  place,  but  in 
America,  among  a  Sabbath-keeping  people; — a  land  with 
the  Bible;  a  land,  though  it  may  have  many  faults,  I 
love  with  my  whole  heart,  and  out  of  which  I  would  not 
live  though  a  palace  were  the  reward.  If  there  is  one 
thing  that  I  desire  to  return  home  for,  in  addition  to  my 
desire  to  be  with  my  loved  ones,  it  is  that  I  may  again 
enjoy  my  Sabbath  privileges.  I  long  for  my  Sabbath 
school,  and  for  our  delightful  prayer-meetings — for  sweet 
communion  with  God's  children,  and  for  the  regular 
20 


304  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

means  of  grace.  I  am  weary  of  this  ever-changing 
scene,  this  "bustle  of  travel,  and  I  long  for  the  quiet  of 
my  own  native  city. 

I  was  reading  to-day  an  exposition  of  the  text,  "  Thou 
wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee."  Notice  it.  Perfect  peace ;  what  a  promise  for  the 
poor,  doubting,  trembling  believer !  what  a  rock  on  which 
to  build  one's  struggling  hopes  !  Perfect  peace;  not  a 
peace  whose  joy  is  marred  by  sorrow  or  remorse  ;  not 
restless,  like  the  midnight  tossings  of  him  whose  fevered 
frame  longs  for  the  morning  light ;  not  peace  to-day  and 
trouble  to-morrow.  No,  no  !  God  will  keep  his  dear 
ones  in  perfect  peace.  This  promise  is  to  us  :  we  have  a 
deep  interest  in  it :  it  has  much  to  do  with  our  happiness. 
Have  we  this  peace  1  Let  us  examine  ourselves,  and  see 
whether  we  have  that  within  us  which,  when  all  is  dark 
and  black  around  us,  will  still  keep  our  souls  in  perfect 
peace,  enabling  us  to  look  above  and  beyond  this  vale 
of  tears  to  something  brighter  and  better  beyond  the 
skies.  . 


PHILADELPHIA,  November  25,  1861. 

To-night  grandmother  has  left  me,*  and  I  feel 

her  loss  deeply.  No  longer  is  she  under  the  same  roof 
with  me  :  I  can  no  longer  go  up  to  her  room  and  tell 
her  my  cares  and  troubles  :  to  see  her  now  I  must  go  to 
another  house,  and  I  cannot  be  with  her  as  much  as 
formerly.  She  has  been  a  very  good  grandmother  to  me, 
and  much,  oh.  how  much,  I  owe  her !  .  .  .  . 

*  On  the  death  of  her  son-in-law,  John  Rumsey,  Esq.,  Mrs.  Dennison  felt  it 
her  duty  to  live  with  her  widow«J  daughter. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  305 

Sabbath  evening,  January  it,  1862. 

My  day's  work  is  just  completed.  ....  It  has  been  a 
great  pleasure — more  even  than  ordinary — to  wait  in  the 
courts  of  the  Lord's  house.  I  felt,  and  feel  as  never  be- 
fore, the  solemn  import  of  the  work  in  which  I  am  en- 
gaged; and  am  resolved,  by  God's  grace,  to  be  more 
faithful  in  my  duties.  Last  night  I  was  reading  in  your 
sainted  sister's  Memoir,  and  came  to  those  resolutions 
she  penned  for  her  guidance  and  direction.  One  of  them 
fixed  itself  deeply  upon  me :  it  was,  "  To  do  everything  as 
if  worth  doing" — "  Make  a  business  of  everything  that  I 
undertake."  I  trust  that  she,  being  dead,  may  yet  speak 
to  me  in  this,  and  that  it  may  inspire  me  to  a  more  up- 
ward earnestness  and  zeal  for  my  Saviour's  cause  :  He  is 
a  precious  Saviour,  and  is  worthy  of  our  noblest  efforts. 

I  feel  very  much  encouraged  with  my  mission  school. 
Never  had  a  superintendent  a  more  faithful  band  of 
teachers — instant  in  season  and  out  of  season — labouring 
most  faithfully  to  satisfy  both  the  eternal  and  temporal 
wants  of  their  respective  little  flocks.  I  feel  that  my 
position  is  a  very  important  and  responsible  one.  Oh 
that  God  would  give  me  grace  to  be  faithful.  Our  work 
widens  and  deepens  on  our  hands  :  to-day  we  devised 
still  more  extended  plans  of  usefulness,  which,  if  we  are 
faithful,  God  will  bless 


1313  SPRUCE  STREET, 
Sabbath  evening,  March  23,  1862. 

A  rather  weary,  because  idle  day,  has  passed It 

has  seemed  strange  to  me  to  be  in  the  city,  not  sick2  and 


306  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

yet  not  at  my  work.  It  reminded  me  forcibly  of  one  of 
those  long,  weary  Sabbaths  last  spring,  when  I  longed  so 
much  to  be  out,  and  yet  could  not  be 

Oh,  could  I  only  be  what  I  want  to  be  !  I  sometimes 
do  despair,  when  I  think  of  my  cold-heartedness,  my  in- 
difference to  the  momentous  concerns  of  eternity.  To 
think  that  at  any  moment  we  may  be  summoned  before 
God !  whether  waking  or  sleeping,  it  matters  not.  What 
must  we  be  made  of,  to  live  on  satisfied  in  such  neglect  ? 

I  do  not  mean  that  we  are  not  God's  children,  for  I 
humbly  trust  that  we  are;  but  this  should  only  be  a  more 
urgent  reason  for  greater  wakefulness  and  watchfulness. 
We  must  be  ever  ready,  with  our  lamps  trimmed,  and 
waiting  for  our  Master 


"  CLAUGHTON  FIRS,"  BIRKENHKAD, 
May  17,  1862. 

Here  I  am,  safe  in  Liverpool ;  and  as  I  sit  in  this 
dining-room  I  cannot  but  think  of  my  dreaming  the  last 
night  I  slept  at  Lansdowne  of  my  being  here,  and  ex- 
claiming to  myself,  "  What  a  fool  I  am,  to]  be  away  thus 
from  my  home  again  !"  Now  indeed  it  is  reality,  and 
the  broad  Atlantic  rolls  between  us.  We  left  Queens- 
town  yesterday  at  3,  and  arrived  at  the  anchorage  at  12. 
The  confusion  in  examining  the  baggage  of  so  many 
passengers  was  necessarily  great,  so  that  it  was  nearly 
3  o'clock  before  I  left  Liverpool.  Mr.  Caldwell  has 
gone  up  to  Manchester,  where  I  will  meet  him  on  Mon- 
day. Uncle  David  says  that  father  wrote  him  saying 
that  I  would  remain  over  all  summer; — to  which  I  gave 


LETTERS  TO  M.  307 

an  emphatic  denial,  and  told  him  that  I  would  not  stay 
later  than  7th  July. 

When  I   look  back  at  our  voyage,  and  think 

what  it  might  have  been,  I  cannot  but  think  how  God 
has  favoured  us; — no  storms,  no  fogs,  no  danger  of  any 
kind — all  bright,  clear,  and  prosperous.  There  are  few 
indeed  who  have  as  many  prayers  as  I  have  daily  offered 
for  their  welfare  :  I  know  it,  I  feel  it,  and  I  trust  it  may 
but  stimulate  me  to  greater  fervency  before  the  throne  of 
grace.  I  was  thinking  to-day,  as  I  left  the  ship,  how  in 
•A  few  hours  we  would  all  be  scattered,  and  never  meet 
again  until  we  stand  before  God's  judgment-seat.  I  trust 
that  I  did  nothing  to  dishonour  the  name  of  my  Saviour : 
I  am  not  conscious  of  anything;  but  that  is  not  the  ques- 
tion. Did  I  do  anything  for  His  cause — anything  to 
honour  His  name  1  I  trust  my  example  was  not  all  for 
nought ;  and  yet,  how  do  we  every  day  come  far  short 
of  our  duty,  and  do  nothing  as  we  should  for  our  blessed 
Saviour,  who  died  that  we  might  live.  The  delight,  the 
joy  of  doing  good  !  how  the  heart  thrills  with  pleasure  at 
the  thought  of  doing  that  which  pleases  Him  who  did  so 
much  for  us  !  . 


MANCHESTER,  May  22,  1862. 

In  my  reading  last  night  I  was  much  struck 

with  the  following  verse  (Job  xv.  n),  "Are  the  consola- 
tions of  God  small  \\i\h.  thee1?"  How  much  there  is  in 
that  question  to  one  who  is  a  professed  follower  of  the 
Lord  Jesus !  on  a  moment's  thought,  with  what  force  and 
power  does  it  come  home  to  the  mind  !  To  me,  at  the 
time,  peculiarly  so.  I  was  sitting  in  my  room  in  the 


308  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

"  Queen's  Hotel  "  alone,  about  midnight.  Sad  thoughts 
filled  my  mind.  I  felt  the  tear  starting  in  my  eye,  and 
looking  down  at  the  Bible  which  lay  open  on  my  knee 
before  me,  my  eye  fell  upon  the  words,  "  Are  the  conso- 
lations of  God  small  with  theeT  What  comfort  they 
brought !  sadness  vanished  like  a  flash.  How,  thought 
I,  could  they  be  small  with  one  who  has  enjoyed  so 
much; — and,  with  a  heart  overflowing  with  thankfulness 
and  joy,  I  knelt  at  the  mercy-seat,  and  committed  all  to 
the  care  of  Him  who  has  promised  that  it  shall  be  well 
with  the  righteous.  Now  my  fears  are  all  gone,  and  I 
dwell  with  increased  delight  upon  those  precious  words. 
Lay  them  up  in  your  heart,  and  let  them  lead  you  to  ask 
more  and  expect  more  from  God  ;  let  them  increase 
your  faith  in  Him  who  has  failed  in  not  one  thing  that 
He  has  promised. 


LONDON,  May  24,  1862. 

I  left  Manchester  last  evening  at  5,  and  came  up  here, 
arriving  at  1 1.  I  am  at  my  old  quarters,  the  "  Castle  and 
Falcon,"  where  I  am  well  taken  care  of.  I  had  a  plea- 
sant trip  coming  up,  barring  the  gentlemen  talked  too 
much  when  I  wanted  to  be  quiet.  Can  you  imagine  it ! — 
three  sociable  Englishmen,  and  all  in  favour  of  the  North  i 
Such  a  spectacle  I  never  saw  before,  never  expected  to 
see,  and  may  never  see  again.  I  suggest  that,  for  the 
character  of  the  nation,  they  be  cased,  and  added  to 
the  list  of  trophies  in  the  Exhibition. 

To-morrow  I  shall  try  and  hear  Rev.  Dr.  Hamilton  ; 
and  in  the  evening,  either  Spurgeon  or  Newman  Hall. 


LETTERS  TO  M.  309 

Since  I  commenced  gargling  with  salt  I  find  my 
throat  is  much  better,  and  I  hope  to  find  from  it  per- 
manent relief.  . 


LONDON,  May  25,  1862. 

It  is  almost  midnight,  and  I  have  sought  the  retirement 
of  my  little  chamber  to  write.  Another  Sabbath  is  almost 
gone,  and  what  have  I  done  to  improve  it  1  Not  feeling 
very  bright  I  have  stayed  in  the  hotel  all  day — the  most 
of  the  time  in  my  room,  reading,  praying,  and  meditating. 
Under  the  circumstances,  I  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  day. 
The  sermon  which  I  read  was  one  which  peculiarly 
pleased  me,  and  suited  my  circumstances :  it  was  one  of 
Dr.  Addison  Alexander's,  entitled  "  Intercessory  Prayer," 
from  i  Thess.  v.  25,  "Brethren,  pray  for  us."  You  have 
the  book ;  read  this  sermon :  I  think  you  will  like  it.  It 
exhibits  God's  manifold  rich  grace  most  beautifully;  show- 
ing how  little  God  might  have  done  for  us,  compared 
with  what  He  has,  and  yet  have  saved  us.  Of  these 
blessings,  the  privilege  of  praying  for  others  is  dwelt  upon 
with  great  force  and  beauty.  We  can  appreciate  these 
words :  we  know,  when  far  separated,  how  it  has  glad- 
dened our  hearts  to  be  able  to  meet  at  the  throne  of 
grace,  and  to  feel  that  we  can  plead  for  one  another. 
This  is  a  blessed  gift  of  God.  Though  we  cannot  save 
others,  though  we  cannot  stand  for  them  in  judgment, 
still  we  can  pray  for  them,  and  we  have  been  promised 
that  "  the  prayer  of  faith  availeth  much."  Let  us  try  and 
realize  this  more — look  upon  it  more  as  a  gift  of  God 
than  as  a  matter  of  course;  and  may  this  lead  us  to 


3io  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

value  the  privilege  more  highly How  fervent  our 

petitions  are  for  the  objects  dearest  to  our  hearts!  What 
desolation  would  it  be  were  this  denied  us,  and  we  could 
only  pray  for  ourselves  !  Do  not  fail  to  read  this  ser- 
mon, and  notice  how  beautiful  it  is,  especially  the  con- 
clusion. 

Monday,  May  26. — All  day  long  I  have  been  at  the 
International  Exhibition ;  and  now  that  I  sit  down  to  say 
something  about  it,  I  know  not  where  to  begin  or  what 
to  write.  Paintings  and  machinery,  bronzes  and  china, 
light-houses,  Armstrong  guns  and  jewellery,  are  all  in  one 
confused  mass  in  my  brain,  and  I  hardly  know  how  to 
separate  them.  Perhaps  I  had  better  tell  you  what  I 
saw  as  I  went  along  ;  and  first,  as  to  the  building.  It  is 
in  Kensington,  adjoining  the  grounds  of  the  South  Ken- 
sington Museum  and  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  : 
being  more  intended  for  permanence  than  the  Palace  of 
1851,  its  walls  are  of  stone  and  brick,  and  its  roof  of 
wood  and  glass:  it  is  not,  as  the  other  was,  a  "  Crystal 
Palace;"  nor  has  it  that  beauty  of  form  nor  convenience 
of  internal  arrangement  which  (as  I  recollect  it)  charac- 
terized the  building  of  1851.  There  are  too  many 
"annexes,"  as  they  are  called,  running  out  from  the  main 
building,  utterly  bewildering  the  visitor  in  his  endeavours 
to  see  everything.  At  either  end  of  the  nave  there  are 
domes,  one  greater  and  one  lesser.  The  internal  decora- 
tions are  much  superior  to  the  other  building :  the  paint- 
ing is  simple,  but  in  good  taste ;  and  the  harmony  of 
colour  is  striking  throughout.  Around  the  circle  of  the 
dome  and  along  the  lower  edges  of  the  roof  and  the 
facings  of  the  galleries,  are  painted,  in  antique  letter,  texts 


LETTERS  TO  M.  311 

of  Scripture,  or  the  sayings  of  great  men,  all  tending  to 
give  God  the  glory  for  everything.  The  display  (except 
from  the  United  States)  is,  as  might  be  expected,  far 
superior  to  anything  in  former  years;  the  English  people 
seem  to  have  laboured  hard  to  make  this  the  greatest  of 
all  Exhibitions,  and  I  believe  they  have  fully  succeeded. 

The  first  thing  which  strikes  the  eye  of  the  visitor  is  a 
beautiful  fountain  in  encaustic  tile-work;  the  subject  is 
mythological,  and  as  that  is  a  branch  in  which  I  am  not 
posted,  especially  the  mythology  of  Britain,  I  cannot 
speak  of  the  subject,  but  merely  say  that  the  effect  is 
beautiful :  around  it,  filling  the  four  corners,  are  cases  of 
magnificent  oxydized  silver-work ;  between  these  are 
beautiful  bronze  figures,  large  as  life.  Looking  down 
the  nave  you  see  the  entrance  to  the  various  courts 
faced  by  bronze  and  iron  gates  of  great  beauty.  Gun 
trophies  and  cannon  trophies,  fur  trophies  and  jewel 
trophies — all  of  them  composed  of  the  most  valuable 
and  perfect  specimens  of  their  kind,  and  each  a  gem 
in  itself. 

The  collection  of  Paintings  is  by  far  the  finest  I  have 
seen.  It  is  said  that  for  general  pictures  (I  mean  leaving 
out  such  as  the  Immaculate  Conception,  than  which 
there  are  a  thousand  here  I  would  rather  have,)  it  is  the 
finest  collection  ever  brought  together.  The  Queen  and 
the  Emperor,  all  the  galleries  of  England  and  Europe, 
have  lent  their  choicest  gems.  There  is  a  likeness  of 
Eugenie  by  Winterhalter,  just  finished,  to  which  I  would 
be  almost  tempted  to  apply  the  term  angelic:  also,  a 
picture  of  the  Princess  Royal  and  her  children,  by  the 
same  artist,  which  is  very  fine.  All  the  gems  of  Hogarth, 
Landseer,  Cooper,  Eddy,  Lawrence,  &c.,  are  here  col- 


312  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

lected ,  and  you  can  study  them  from  their  first  attempt 
to  their  master-pieces. 

The  collection  of  Statuary  is  fine,  though  by  no  means 
to  be  compared  with  the  Paintings. 

The  display  of  Gobelins  Tapestry  and  Sevres  China  is 
superb ;  and  indeed,  in  bronzes,  jewellery,  and  all  that  is 
beautiful  and  ornamental,  France  carries  the  palm.  She 
exhibits  likewise  considerable  machinery,  which  is  very 
ingenious. 

The  Machinery  department  is  very  fine.  It  occupies 
a  room  500  x  1200  feet;  and  there  you  may  see  in  active 
operation,  either  full  size  or  in  miniature,  all  the  appliances 
of  steam  —  engines,  pumps,  cotton-spinning,  weaving, 
cloth-making,  coining,  diamond-cutting,  &c. 

But  I  weary  you  with  my  detail.  It  is,  in  short,  a 
World's  Fair,  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  There  you  see 
people  and  their  works  from  every  clime  and  nation;  and 
I  could  not  but  think,  as  I  came  away,  What  a  wonderful 
creature  man  is !  Who  could  have  made  him  but  an 
infinite  God !  What  an  overwhelming  argument,  I 
thought,  is  this  against  those  who  call  man  the  produc- 
tion of  chance,  or  the  improvement  of  a  lower  being ! 
The  only  way  of  accounting  for  such  versatile  and  pro- 
found genius  is  to  be  found  in  these  words,  "  God  breathed 
into  man  the  breath  of  life,  and  he  became  a  living 
soul.  .... 

I  feel  every  day  that  I  cannot  be  sufficiently  thankful 
for  what  God  has  done  for  me.  He  has  thrown  around 
me  many  safeguards,  and  given  me  grace  to  resist  many 
temptations ;  and  that  grace  I  know  will  ever  be  equal  to 
the  trial.  Being,  as  I  have  been  in  my  travels,  all  alone, 
ind  with  an  unlimited  purse,  many  a  young  man  in 


LETTERS  TO  M.  313 

similar  circumstances  has  strayed  far  from  the  path  of 
virtue  and  righteousness,  and  returned  to  his  home  a 
wreck  of  his  former  self.  God  has  mercifully  preserved 
me :  to  Him  be  all  the  glory 


MILLTOWN,  BANBRIDGE,  IKISI.AND,    ' 
June  10,  1862. 

On  Saturday  I  called  upon  several  clergymen, 

Dr.  Edgar  and  others,  and  then  went  out  with  George 
Weir  to  his  father's  place,  Lisnabreeny,  about  2\  miles 
from  Belfast,  upon  the  mountain  side.  Here  I  was 
heartily  welcomed  by  all  the  family,  and  made  to  feel, 
as  far  as  in  their  power,  at  home.  Home,  however,  is 
where  the  heart  is;  and  all  attempts  to  make  one,  when 
absent,  feel  that  he  is  at  home,  only  serve  to  render  the 
void  more  perceptible.  Such  were  my  felt  thoughts  as  I 
gathered  with  this  family  around  their  fireside,  and  saw 
how  happy  they  were. 

On  Sabbath  morning  we  drove  to  Belfast  in  a  jaunting- 
car,  in  a  pouring  rain,  to  hear  Dr.  Cooke ;  but,  unfortu- 
nately, he  was  sick  and  could  not  preach.  In  the  evening 
we  went  to  the  church  at  Castlereagh,  near  Mr.  Weir's 
house,  and  heard  an  excellent  sermon.  On  Monday  I 
had  contemplated  visiting  an  Irish  fair;  but  the  young 
gentleman  who  was  to  have  gone  with  me  was  suddenly 
called  away  to  see  a  dying  patient,  and  I  did  not  care 
about  going  alone.  To-day  I  left  Belfast  at  i,  arrived 
at  Lurgan  at  2,  and  then  drove  six  miles  over  to  this 
place,  the  beautiful  homestead  of  the  Smyth  family. 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  I  shall  enjoy  the  few  days 


3H  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

that  I  am  to  remain  with  them,  for  they  are  very  hos- 
pitable. 

On  my  way  over  from  Lurgan  I  visited  Donacloney 
Church,  where  father  was  baptized,  and  where  he  wor- 
shipped up  to  the  time  of  his  going  to  America.  In  the 
yard  beside  the  church  my  grandparents  are  buried,  and 
their  children  have  marked  the  place  by  a  neat  slab 
and  railing. 

The  weather  here  is  most  depressing — rain,  chilling 
rain,  every  day  without  intermission.  If  I  had  not  before 
me  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  return,  I  would  get  the  blues 
so  badly  as  to  be  a  most  incurable  case.  This  afternoon 
I  have  been  laid  'hold  of  by  my  father's  old  pastor  and 
some  others  of  the  congregation;  and  nothing  will  satisfy 
them  but  that  I  must  remain  here  over  Sabbath,  and  ad- 
dress their  Sabbath  school.  Now  you  must  know  that 
in  this  section  of  the  country  "  Stuart"  is  a  charmed 
name,  and  is  held  as  the  synonym  of  something  very  good; 
and  I  fear  very  much  that  if  I  stay  I  would  sadly  remove 
the  impressions  they  have  of  me,  for,  from  what  I  can 
learn,  some  one  has  given  them  far  too  good  an  opinion 
of  my  abilities 

This  night  three  weeks,  should  all  go  well,  I  will  again 
land  upon  my  native  shores 


LITTLETON,  N.  H.,  September  27,  1862. 

Here  we  are,  after  a  long  ride  of  170  miles,  in  this 
painfully  quiet  town,  where  we  are  obliged  to  spend  the 
Sabbath.  We  left  Springfield  this  morning  at  8  o'clock, 


LETTERS  TO  M.  315 

via  the  Connecticut  Valley  Railroad,  and  arrived  here  at 
6.  The  scenery  is  very  fine.  Yesterday  afternoon  we 
drove  about  Springfield,  and  among  other  places  visited 
the  Cemetery,  and  could  testify  of  it,  as  the  English  fop 
did  of  Pompeii,  "  A  pretty  place,  but  sadly  out  of  re- 
pair." Mother  came  home  suffering  a  good  deal  from 
dyspepsia,  and  went  at  once  to  bed ;  and  I  myself,  being 
rather  stupid,  retired  at  the  premature  hour  of  8.  Do 
you  know,  I  think  I  am  rather  a  spoiled  child  for  trav- 
elling :  I  do  not  care  to  see  sights,  natural  or  artificial,  as 
much  as  I  did  a  year  ago.  To  take  me  travelling  now. 
as  far  as  seeing  anything  goes,  is  just  throwing  the  money 
away.  I  do  not  mean  that  I  do  not  enjoy  myself:  but  it 
is  the  enjoyment,  or  rather  negative  pleasure,  produced 
by  general  change  of  employment  and  scene,  and  not  by 
any  particular  object.  We  shall  remain  in  the  White 
Mountains  the  most  of  next  week,  returning  to  Spring- 
field to  spend  the  Sabbath,  and  then  go  on  Monday  to 

Albany  and  Niagara I  cannot  help  thinking,  as  I 

sit  half  shivering  in  this  little  room,  lit  by  a  miserable 
camphene  lamp,  and  but  barely  furnished,  how  much 
comfort  people  are  willing  to  sacrifice  for  the  sake  of 
gadding  about  and  seeing  a  little  of  the  world 

Sabbath,  Sept.  28. — I  have  just  come  down  from  the 
cupola,  where  for  some  hours  I  have  been  enjoying  the 
distant  view  of  the  mountains,  and  the  changing  foliage 

in  the  valley  between This  morning  we  went  to  the 

Congregational  Church,  and  heard  a  very  excellent  ser- 
mon on  the  temptation  of  Christ.  The  church  was  very 
cold,  and  I  fear  that  my  feelings  rather  interfered  with 
my  full  enjoyment  of  the  sermon.  The  minister  began 


3i6  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

his  sermon  with  a  supposition  from  which  I  differed  en- 
tirely; namely,  that  Christ's  temptation  was  not  an  actual 
event,  but  a  vision.  He  endeavoured  to  prove  his  state- 
ment by  quoting  the  visions  of  Daniel,  Ezekiel,  and 
Peter,  ignoring  entirely  the  fact  that  we  are  expressly 
told  in  Holy  Writ  that  these  latter  were  visions.  I  would 
like  to  know  how  he  would  make  out  our  Saviour's  fasting 
forty  days  and  nights  to  be  a  vision1?  If  so,  then  he  did 
not  fast,  but  only  dreamed  that  he  fasted.  Is  not  this 
absurd? 


LETTERS    TO    C.  H.  W. 


LETTERS    TO    C.  H.  W. 


N  collecting  materials  for  the  preparation  of 
this  volume,  the  author  of  the  following  letter 
was  requested  to  furnish  any  of  Willie's  letters 
that  would  aid  the  writer  in  his  work.  Al- 
though a  great  disparity  existed  in  the  ages  of  these  cor- 
respondents, yet,  from  a  similarity  in  tastes  and  pursuits, 
especially  in  the  blessed  work  of  founding  and  carrying 
forward  Mission  Sabbath  Schools  in  the  outskirts  of  our 
large  cities,  an  unusually  warm  and  mutual  attachment 
sprang  up,  which  continued  to  increase  in  strength  until 
God  ended  the  plans  and  labours  of  his  younger  servant 
by  taking  him  up  to  a  higher  and  holier  sphere  of  labour. 
Accompanying  a  large  package  of  letters  Mr.  Wolff 
writes  to  the  author: — 

CINCINNATI,  April  5,  1864. 

DEAR  SIR, 

Your  favour  of  the  1st  instant  is  before  me.  As 
requested,  I  hereby  send  you  all  the  letters  at  present  within  my 
reach  written  by  our  deceased  friend  \Vm.  D.  Stuart.  As  repre- 
sentative documents  they  will  furnish  you  with  all  in  my  power  to 
give.  Cheerfully,  too,  will  I  give  my  views  "of  the  mind,  heart, 
and  character  of  William." 

21 


320  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

1st.  His  mind. — Having  conversed  with  him  uninterruptedly  for 
hours  at  a  time,  touching  upon  almost  all  topics  adapted  to  miscel- 
laneous conversation,  and  frequently  attempting  to  solve  moral  prob- 
lems pertaining  to  the  happiness  of  man.  we  never  parted  but  my 
memory  retained  certain  admirable  axioms  that  he  forcibly  stated, 
and  which  had  been  so  clearly  set  forth  as  to  place  his  mind,  in  my 
estimation,  far  above  that  of  the  young  men  of  the  age.  Among 
the  many  pleasing  themes  was  the  one  referring  to  the  influence  our 
acquirements  here  would  have  upon  our  progress  in  the  better 
land.  His  very  inmost  soul  would  kindle  at  the  thought  of  eternal 
progression.  "  Oh,"  said  he  to  me  on  one  occasion,  "I  have  ob- 
tained a  glimpse  of  God's  wonderful  creative  power  and  goodness, 
through  my  investigations  by  the  microscope,  that  I  had  no  concep- 
tion of  before;  and  while  man  has  been  given  the  power  thus 
minutely  to  examine  the  beauties  of  sin-cursed  nature  here,  what 
will  be  the  powers  of  untrammelled  mind  beyond  the  grave  ! " 

There  appeared  a  wonderful  intuitive  perception  in  the  grasp  of 
his  mind.  In  many  instances  he  would  catch  the  meaning  fully 
before  half  my  sentence  would  be  completed.  Then,  too,  there  was 
a  sturdiness,  a  wholesome  vigour  and  strength  in  his  mind,  remark- 
able in  any  one,  but  rare  as  the  most  precious  stone  in  the  person  of 
a  wealthy  man's  son. 

2nd.  His  heart.  — A  line  or  two  will  explain  all  I  could  say.  It  was 
gentle  as  a  woman's,  noble  as  the  most  chivalrous  could  require, 
and  true  as  the  needle  to  the  pole. 

3rd.  His  character. — In  our  most  intimate  intercourse — and  there 
were  times  when  he  would  talk  to  me  in  the  most  confidential  man- 
ner— there  was  a  lofty  sentiment,  a  pureness  of  motive  and  intention, 
an  abhorrence  of  anything  unjust  or  unmanly,  that  stamped  him  in 
my  estimation  the  purest,  noblest,  best  young  man  among  the  very 
many  I  have  known. 

4th.  His  administrative  powers. — On  visiting  his  Mission  Sabbath 
School  for  the  first  time,  it  was  remarkable  what  a  change  was 
wrought  in  his  whole  demeanour  on  entering  the  stand  to  open  the 
exercises.  There  were  among  his  Sabbath-school  children  both 
boys  and  girls,  some  as  unruly  and  wicked  as  the' purlieus  of  the 
by-ways  and  alleys  of  the  most  wretched  part  of  the  city  could  fur- 
nish. They  were  unused  to  control  or  discipline;  and  yet  when  he 


LETTERS  TO  C.  H.    W.  321 

took  the  stand,  and  commanded  order  and  silence,  it  was  yielded  at 
once.  The  quiet,  firm,  but  gentle  dignity ;  the  commanding  pres- 
ence in  one  so  young ;  the  ease  and  grace  with  which  it  was  ac- 
complished, proved  it  to  be  a  talent  never  acquired,  but  a  gracious 
gift  from  God.  Unlike  others  thus  gifted,  he  seemed  to  be  humbly 
unconscious  of  this  pre-eminence  to  rule  and  control. 

The  whole  discipline  of  the  school  was  in  accordance  with  the 
above. 

It  is  needless  for  me  to  elaborate.     You  will  have  access  to  all 

that  is  needed  to  make  your  Biography  complete Let  me, 

however,  make  a  suggestion.  Cannot  you  prepare  one  for  the  pub- 
lic Sabbath-school  libraries  ?  It  would  be  invaluable  as  an  incen- 
tive for  our  rich  families  to  set  apart  sons  and  daughters  to  work  for 

the  Lord  in  the  Sabbath  schools I  remain, 

Dear  Sir, 

Truly  yours, 

CHAS.  H.  WOLFF. 


PHILADELPHIA,  March  23,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR, 

In  our  express  parcel  from  the  store  to-day 
I  send  you  the  Bible  which  you  desired  me  to  obtain  for 
you.  The  long  delay  was  occasioned  by  a  difficulty  in 
obtaining  the  edition  you  desired,  and  in  getting  a  cover 
made;  all,  however,  is  now  complete,  and  I  trust  will 
meet  with  your  full  approval. 

Your  commission  I  have  not  executed  to  the  letter, 
but  rather  beg  that  you  will  accept  of  this  as  a  token  of 
regard  from  one  who  is  a  fellow-worker  with  you  in  the 
Christ-appointed  work  of  bringing  in  the  lambs  of  the 
flock,  training  them  for  usefulness  in  this  world,  and 
fitting  them,  by  the  grace  and  assistance  of  God,  for 
happiness  in  the  next 


322  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D,  STUART. 

Wishing  you  joy  and  success  in  all  your  endeavours 
to  promote  our  Master's  kingdom,  I  am 
Yours  faithfully, 

WM.  D.  STUART. 


PHILADELPHIA,  September  7,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

My  mission   school   has 

resumed.  Fall  work  with  fresh  vigour.  As  long  as  the 
warm  weather  lasts  we  have  open-air  services,  which  are 
very  successful.  Our  audiences  are  mixed,  generally  of 
the  lowest  class;  yet  they  are  models  of  decorum  and 
attention.  On  last  Sabbath  afternoon  we  held  two  meet- 
ings :  the  first  at  4  o'clock,  in  the  worst  den  of  wicked- 
ness in  the  city;  we  continued  there  for  three  quarters 
of  an  hour,  and  distributing  tracts,  left  for  our  second 
meeting,  which  we  held  among  the  whites  in  another 
neighbourhood.  We  continued  in  this  latter  place  for 
an  hour  and  a  quarter,  and  again  distributing  tracts  dis- 
missed them  until  the  evening.  At  our  first  meeting  we 
had  an  audience  of  about  100;  at  the  second  about  500. 

Our  plan  of  procedure  is  simply  this : — Three  or  four 
of  us  go  together,  and  asking  permission  to  stand  upon 
some  one's  steps,  we  begin  to  sing  a  hymn,  one  of  our 
number  handing  slips  of  paper  with  the  hymns  printed 
to  all  who  come ;  as  soon  as  we  close  the  singing  another 
immediately  begins  a  prayer;  then  a  few  striking  verses 
of  Scripture  are  read  and  commented  upon;  then  we 
sing  and  speak  alternately,  the  addresses  varying  in 
length  from  five  to  ten  minutes.  This  is  taking  the 
Gospel  to  their  very  doors,  making  them  hear  it  whether 


LETTERS  TO  C.  H.    W.  323 

they  will  or  no;  and  then  if  they  still  refuse,  their  destruc- 
tion is  with  themselves.  This  branch  of  our  labour  is 
new,  but  has  made  a  good  start.  Pray  for  our  success : 
we  need  your  prayers. 

I  am  now  only  awaiting  a  letter  from  Lieut.  Black- 
more  (who  has  been  for  twenty-eight  years  successfully 
engaged  in  bringing  back  unfortunate  females  in  London), 
to  take  measures  for  the  initiation  of  a  like  movement  in 
our  own  city.  As  this  would  injure  us  much,  should  it  be 
a  failure,  we  keep  it  entirely  to  ourselves  for  the  present 
— thinking  and  praying  over  it  often 


PHILADELPHIA,  October  12,  1860. 

I  regret  that  I  have  so  long  been  compelled  to  forego 
writing  to  you;  the  more  so  because  I  desired  to  thank 
you  most  heartily  for  the  kind,  more  than  friendly,  advice 
which  you  gave  me  when  last  we  met.  It  was  to  me  a 
double  assurance  that  I  have  in  you  a  friend  indeed,  and 
words  cannot  express  my  gratitude  to  you  for  it,  nor 
tell  you  how  much  good  it  has  done  me.  I  would  have 
written  you  long  ere  this,  but  my  eyes  would  not  permit 
me  to  write  at  all.  I  strained  them  so  much  in  prepar- 
ing my  Essay  on  "  The  Microscope,"  that  I  have  hardly 
been  able  to  use  them  since. 

A  very  fortunate  opening  has  been  made  for  me  in  the 
store.  I  have  entire  charge  of  the  White  Goods;  in 
addition  to  which  I  am  to  have  four  first  class  Linen 
accounts,  which  will  keep  me  pretty  busy.  Feeling  now 
that  this  department  is  entirely  my  own,  it  gives  me 
an  impulse  such  as  I  never  felt  before.  Judging  from 


324  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

my  own  experience,  I  think  that  there  is  nothing  like 
making  a  young  man  (no  matter  how  young)  feel  that 
there  is  a  responsibility  attached  to  him.  I  feel  it  now, 
and  it  acts  like  magic  upon  me,  urging  me  on  in  a 
manner  I  never  knew  before. 

I  am  very  busy  preparing  for  Cough's  lecture  at  the 
Academy  of  Music,  for  the  benefit  of  our  mission.  We 
expect  to  realize  enough  to  support  a  missionary  next 
winter  and  supply  a  Dorcas  society. 

Our  school  is  filling  up  rapidly.  We  average  about 
seventy-five,  with  a  corps  of  eight  teachers.  We  con- 
sider this  a  good  year's  work,  in  a  neighbourhood  where 
before  an  attendance  of  five  could  only  be  got  after 
seven  years  labour.  Our  third  Anniversary  will  be  held 
on  the  first  Sabbath  of  December,  in  the  afternoon.  I 
wish  you  could  be  with  us.  Nothing  would  give  me 
greater  pleasure  than  to  hear  a  word  from  you.  En- 
closed find  a  tract  which  I  prepared  for  our  Out-Door 
Mission.*  . 


PHILADELPHIA,  November  28,  1860. 

Since  I  wrote  you,  Mr.  Gough  has  delivered  two 

lectures  for  the  benefit  of  my  mission  school,  in  the 
Academy  of  Music,  to  large  and  brilliant  audiences. 
We  cleared  about  $1100 — a  good  fund  to  work  on  during 
the  winter.  Last  evening  we  established  our  Dorcas 
society,  and  everything  bids  fair  for  great  success. 

All  the  time  I  could  spare  from  the  store  I  have  been 
devoting  to  studying  out  an  apparatus  to  give  micro- 
scopic exhibitions  with  an  artificial  light,  so  that  they 

*  See  p.  333. 


LETTERS  TO  C.  H.    W.  325 

may  be  given  at  night.     Thus  far  we  hare  succeeded 
perfectly,  and  I  hope  to  be  able  to  give  an  exhibition 

early  in  January 

Business  is  stagnated  completely.  Most  of  our  manu- 
factories are  working  on  half  time.  I  fear  there  will  be 
much  suffering  this  winter.  Yet,  truth  and  right  are 
mighty,  and  will  prevail.  I  believe  that  a  glorious  future 
is  before  our  country.  The  blackest  storm  precedes  the 
clearest  weather;  and  when  these  Fire  Eaters  are  brought 
to  their  right  mind,  and  the  people  wake  up,  as  I  think 
they  are  doing,  to  see  the  necessity  of  putting  honest, 
yes,  and  God-fearing  men  in  power,  then  all  will  roll  on 
well.  We  are  in  the  hands  of  a  good  and  gracious  God : 
let  us  but  trust  Him  as  we  should,  and  all  will  be  well. 


PHILADELPHIA,  "January  22,  1861. 

Since  I  wrote  you,  our  Sabbath  School  Anniver- 
saries, Festivals,  and  Annual  Meetings  have  taken  place. 
On  last  evening  our  Sabbath  School  Association  met, 
and  the  Reports  of  our  Mission  Schools  were  presented: 
they  were  of  the  most  interesting  and  cheering  character. 
My  own  school  never  was  better :  we  have  117  children 
on  the  roll,  and  about  75  in  regular  attendance.  Our 
Dorcas  Society  has  clothed  and  provided  for  over  60 
families,  and  our  children  are  now  comfortable  and  neat. 
Our  Report  shows  a  distribution  of  over  14,000  pages  of 
tracts,  and  over  700  persons  conversed  with  upon  the 
subject  of  their  soul's  salvation.  There  is  an  increased 
and  growing  interest  in  our  city  in  the  cause  of  Sabbath 
schools,  and  especially  mission  schools.  Christians  are 


326  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

beginning  to  wake  up  to  the  fact  that  something  must 
be  done  for  the  children  going  to  our  public  schools, 
where  they  are  denied  the  privilege  of  reading  or  study- 
ing God's  Holy  Word,  in  order  that  they  may  not  grow 
up  and  go  out  into  the  world  with  a  Christless  and  God- 
less education. 

Our  noon-day  prayer-meetings  continue  crowded,  and 
with  unabated  interest. 

I  have  just  finished  reading  a  book  of  great  interest — 
"  Motley's  History  of  the  Dutch  Republic: "  if  you  have 
not  read  it,  and  have  the  time,  I  would  heartily  recom- 
mend it  to  your  perusal.  I  think  that  the  character  of 
William  of  Orange  should  be  familiarly  known  to  every 
Christian. 

I  see  by  the  London  periodicals  that  there  is  a  great 
movement  among  the  working  men.  Twice  a  week  they 
hold  prayer-meetings,  not  in  the  day  time,  for  they  must 
be  at  their  work,  but  from  eleven  at  night  until  six  in 
the  morning:  they  meet  for  prayer,  conversation,  and 
the  devising  of  plans  wherewith  the  better  to  reach  those 
of  their  companions  who  are  careless  and  indifferent: 
after  breakfasting  together  they  separate  to  their  differ- 
ent work  places.  I  firmly  believe  that  the  present  year 
will  witness  greater  and  more  momentous  events  than 
any  previous. .... 


PHILADELPHIA,  April  17,  1861. 

,  .  .  .  .  Since  your  delightful  visit  to  me  I  have  been  im- 
proving rapidly,  owing  to  a  continuation  of  fine  weather, 
which  enabled  me  to  take  a  great  deal  of  exercise.  My 


LETTERS  TO  C.  H.    IV.  327 

breast  is  still  quite  sore,  but  it  is  gradually  healing,  and  I 
am  enabled  to  hold  myself  tolerably  straight.  A  gentle- 
man who  had  not  seen  me  since  I  was  taken  sick,  met 
me  in  the  street  the  other  day :  throwing  up  his  arms  in 
perfect  amazement,  he  exclaimed,  "  Why,  William,  I  am 
very  sorry  to  see  you  looking  so  badly;"  and  then,  after 
a  few  moments'  conversation,  he  gravely  asked  me, 
"  Has  your  physician  any  hopes  at  all  of  your  recovery?" 
Consolation,  at  any  rate.  I  laughed,  and  told  him  I  was 
getting  quite  well;  at  which  he  seemed  greatly  astonished. 

. . . ; .  I  suppose  that,  comparatively  removed  as  you  are 
from  the  scene  of  action,  your  city  is  hardly  so  excited  as 
ours  in  regard  to  war.  Over  8,000  men  have  been  en- 
listed since  Monday,  and  all  our  well-drilled  volunteer 

corps  are  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice 

Large  bodies  of  troops  are  constantly  passing  through  to 
Washington  ;  and  from  every  public  building,  newspaper 
office,  and  many  private  dwellings,  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
are  waving.  The  old  Keystone  State  is  aroused,  and  she 
will  again  prove  herself  as  gallant  and  as  brave  as  upon 
the  plains  of  Mexico 

I  cannot  but  think  and  ponder  over  the  present  con- 
dition of  affairs — a  portion  of  our  Confederation  striving 
by  every  means  which  Satan'  has  placed  within  their 
power  to  tear  down  and  trample  upon  the  noblest  and 
freest  Government  the  world  ever  saw — the  heritage  com- 
mitted to  us  in  sacred  trust  by  those  who  bled  that  it 
might  live;  and  to  establish  upon  a  firmer  and  more 
enduring  basis  the  vilest,  most  fiendish,  and  most  Satanic 
system  of  oppression  and  degradation,  both  of  body  and 
soul. 

We  have  might  and  right  on  our  side,  and  I  believe 


328  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

that  the  God  of  armies  will  fight  for  us  as  He  did  for  our 
forefathers  when  they  strove  to  drive  oppression  from  the 
land.  And  now  that  the  struggle  has  begun,  my  voice 
is,  Let  it  go  on  until  that  fearful  evil  shall  be  once  and 
for  ever  driven  from  among  us — when  the  oppressed  shall 
go  free,  and  the  slave  shall  no  more  hear  the  voice  of  his 
master!  . 


PHILADELPHIA,  May  i$,  1861. 

I  have  just  made  up  my  mind  to  go  to  Europe. 

I  sail  on  Saturday  in  the  City  of  Baltimore.  G.  W.  is 
going  out  in  her;  and  as  several  physicians  have  advised 
me  that  the  best  thing  I  could  do  would  be  to  take  this 
trip,  I  have  concluded  to  go  at  once,  while  I  am  sure  of 
good  Christian  company.  My  stay  is  very  indefinite — 
certainly  not  longer  than  six  months.  I  feel  quite  well 
now,  but  am  still  very  weak. 

And  now  farewell.  May  God  bless  you  and  yours — 
watch  over  and  keep  you  in  health  and  happiness — pour 
out  upon  you  abundantly  His  richest  blessings,  and  make 
you  all  His  own  dear  children.  May  I  not  ask  you  in 
your  prayers  to  remember  the  wanderer  (as  for  the  time 
being  I  shall  be).  Pray  for  him  that  he  may  be  kept 
very  near  to  his  Saviour;  that  his  conduct  not  only  may 
be  such  as  becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  but  that  he 
may  be  beautiful  within — one  who  may  be  every  whit  a 
Christian,  that  is,  Christ-like 


LETTERS  TO  C.  H.    W.  329 

PHILADELPHIA,  November  13,  1861. 

Unless  you  have  heard  of  my  return  from  some  other 
source,  you  will,  I  think,  be  rather  surprised  to  find  me 
writing  you  once  more  from  my  own  home 

They  tell  me  that  I  am  quite  altered,  having  grown 
much  stouter  and  browner  than  when  I  went  away.  I 
am  sure  I  never  enjoyed  such  perfect  health  before;  and 
the  next  thing  for  me  to  do  is  to  keep  it.  I  found  all 
well  at  home,  and  looking  as  before;  but  there  was  a 
sadness  attending  that  reunion — one  loved  face  was 
missing* — one  dear  one  was  absent  from  that  family  circle, 
never  to  return.  I  could  not  but  contrast  our  condition 
half  a  year  since — he  in  perfect  health,  and  I  much 
wasted  by  disease.  Now  he  has  been  taken,  whilst  I 
have  been  fully  restored,  and  re-invigorated  for  my  duties. 

Poor  aunt  F.  is  a  perfect  wreck,  wasted  almost  to  a 
shadow.  It  is  indeed  sad  for  her  to  be  left  so  lonely 
after  thirty-three  years  of  as  happy  a  life  as  ever  any 
woman  enjoyed — and  that  is  saying  a  great  deal. 

I  find  my  mission  school  prosperous.  We  have  about 
150  scholars,  and  10  teachers.  I  notice  much  improve- 
ment in  the  children,  and  am  greatly  cheered  in  my 
work. . 


PHILADELPHIA,  January  15,  1862. 

Our  congregation  has  done  me  the  honour  to 

make  me  a  trustee  and  their  treasurer;  so  that  between 
the  duties  of  the  latter  and  my  mission  school  I  have  but 

*  John  Rumsey,  Esq.,  died  September  18,  1861. 


330  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

little  leisure.  I  have  adopted  the  plan  which  I  believe 
to  be  a  good  one — namely,  never  to  seek  an  office,  but 
if  chosen  to  one,  accept,  if  you  can  give  its  duties  their 
full  and  proper  attention,  and  you  feel  you  can  do  good. 
With  my  mission  school  I  am  greatly  encouraged. 
Never  had  superintendent  a  more  faithful,  self-denying 
band  of  teachers,  so  unceasing  in  their  efforts  for  both 
the  spiritual  and  temporal  good  of  their  scholars.  I 
have  good  reason  to  think  that  they  are  all  men  and 
women  of  prayer;  and  you  well  know  that  with  such  a 
power  success  cannot  but  follow.  We  held  our  fourth 
Anniversary  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  December,  and  a 
Festival  on  New  Year's  Day;  both  of.  which  were  occa- 
sions of  great  interest. . 


PHILADELPHIA,  November  7,  1862. 

Only  a  day  or  two  ago  I  was  thinking  how  much 

of  my  life  and  energy  has  left  me ;  and  I  almost  forget 
how  "very  well"  feels.  I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  mur- 
mur, for  I  know  that  I  am  in  His  hands  who  "  doeth  all 
things  well,"  and  who  surely  knows  what  is  best  for  me. 

I  am  much  ashamed  of  myself  in  not  having  long  ere 
this  thanked  you  for  having  planned  such  a  visit  for  me 
to  your  own  home — a  visit  which  would  have  given  me 
so  much  pleasure,  and  which  would  have  left  behind  it 
such  pleasant  memories. 

And  now  to  a  little  fact  which,  I  am  sure,  for  my  sake 
you  will  be  glad  to  hear.  My  physicians  have  advised 
me  to  spend  the  winter  in  the  West  Indies;  and  I  will 
sail  from  New  York  on  December  9.  But  before  that  I 


LETTERS  TO  C.  H.    W.  331 

intend  to  do  as  you  have  often  advised  me — get  married. 
You  know,  my  dear  friend,  what  great  pleasure  it  would 

give  me  to  have  you  present  on  that  occasion In 

these  expressions   the   bride-elect  joins  with   me  most 

cordially The  wedding  will  be  on  Tuesday,  25th 

instant.  . 


PHILADELPHIA,  November  18,  1862. 

I  wrote  you  last  week  in  regard  to  my  approaching 
marriage.  In  view  of  my  continued  sickness,  it  has  been 
deferred  ten  days 


GOD'S  THREATENINGS. 

[The  subject  of  this  Memoir,  while  engaged  in  his  mission  work,  was  in  the 
habit  of  distributing  the  following  paper  as  a  Tract.  It  has  been  ascertained  that 
he  was  himself  the  author  of  it  See  p.  324.] 

|E  is  faithful  that  promised,"  are  words  of 
sweet  consolation  and  comfort  to  the  child 
of  God.  When  surrounded  by  enemies, 
temporal  and  spiritual ;  when  the  heavens 
are  dark,  and  no  kindly  ray  of  light  gleams  through  to 
lighten  and  cheer  the  saddened  soul — even  in  that  hour 
the  child  of  God  clings  in  earnest  faith  to  these  precious 
words,  "  He  is  faithful  that  promised."  Yes,  faithful  to 
the  end.  But  as  "  He  is  faithful  that  promised,"  so  is 
He  equally  faithful  that  threatened.  Mark  these  solemn 
words,  "  He  will  by  no  means  clear  the  guilty,"  uttered 
as  they  were  amid  the  thunderings  and  lightnings  of 
Sinai,  when  God  in  his  glory  appeared  unto  Moses,  and 
proclaimed  himself  a  God  "  forgiving  iniquity  and  trans- 
gression and  sin."  He  devised  a  glorious  plan  for  the 
salvation  of  fallen  man ;  but  when  that  has  been  set  aside 
and  rejected,  there  is  no  means,  not  even  with  God, 
with  whom  all  things  are,  by  which  the  guilty  sinner 
can  be  saved.  God's  justice,  his  honour,  his  integrity, 
demand  that  the  guilty  sinner  shall  suffer  the  penalty 
due  to  him  for  sin. 


334  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Reader !  are  you  clinging  to  any  hope  of  future  mercy 
for  salvation.  Do  you  hope  that  God  is  so  full  of  com- 
passionate tender  love,  that  when  he  sees  you  going  down 
to  eternal  punishment  He  will  in  pitying  mercy  devise 
some  way  whereby  you  yet  may  be  saved  1  Be  not  de- 
ceived !  God's  love  is  infinite  and  unchangeable  :  so  is 
His  justice.  Those  whom  He  loves,  and  who  obey  His 
commands,  He  will  love  to  the  end;  and  those  who  reject 
the  offers  of  his  mercy  He  will  punish  to  the  uttermost. 
God  "  is  not  slack  concerning  his  promises :"  neither  is  he 
slack  concerning  his  threatenings.  The  wrath  of  man  time 
will  wear  away  and  appease;  but  not  so  with  the  eternal 
God.  He  is  "  a  jealous  God."  No  one  who  rejects  the 
offer  of  his  Son — his  "  only-begotten  and  well-beloved 
Son" — shall  pass  on  unpunished. 

There  is  no  cleft  in  all  Sinai  where  you  can  escape 
the  vengeance  of  the  coming  storm.  You  may  cry, — 

"  Hide  me,  O  my  Saviour,  hide ! 

but  that  Saviour  will  have  become  your  accuser,  and 
your  judge. 

Sinner !  are  you  yet  suffering  your  precious  and  im- 
mortal soul  to  be  tossed  upon  the  ocean  of  uncertainty  ? 
Are  you  yet  trusting  to  that  which  is  the  most  impossible 
thing  under  heaven — God's  changeableness.  Heaven 
and  earth  may  change,  but  God  cannot.  Unalterable 
as  Himself,  His  precepts  and  His  threatenings  have  stood, 
and  will  stand  for  ever.  Trust  to  no  future  mercy,  which 
cannot  be,  but  take  God  at  His  word,  and  come  to  Him 
now  ;  or  else  that  same  voice,  which  now,  in  tender, 
loving  accents,  invites  you,  pleads  with  you  to  come  and 


GOD'S  THREATENINGS. 


335 


find  rest  in  Jesus,  will  be  heard  in  stern  tones  bidding 
your  condemned  and  guilty  soul — "  Depart  into  ever- 
lasting fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels." 

"  Time's  sun  is  fast  setting,  its  twilight  is  nigh, 
Its  evening  is  falling  in  clouds  o'er  the  sky, 
Its  shadows  are  stretching  in  ominous  gloom, 
Its  midnight  approaches — the  midnight  of  doom! 
Then  haste,  sinner,  haste,  there  is  mercy  for  thee  ; 
And  wrath  is  preparing — flee,  lingerer,  flee." 


LETTERS     TO     PHIL. 


LETTERS     TO     PHIL. 


IHE  following  extracts  are  from  a  correspond- 
ence with  his  most  intimate  friend,  nearly  of 
his  own  age.  While  a  playful  vein  of  humour 
pervades  the  entire  correspondence,  the  sub- 
ject nearest  the  writer's  heart — the  religion  of  Christ — is 
prominently  uppermost. 


SPRING  BROOK,  September  29,  1858. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

It  was  with  no  ordinary  feelings  of  plea- 
sure that  I  learned  on  last  Saturday  evening  that  you 
had  at  last  determined  to  unite  with  the  Church,  and 
cast  in  your  lot  with  the  people  of  God. 

I  almost  feel  like  reproaching  you  for  not  making 
known  such  an  important  event  to  me  yourself;  and  yet 
I  think  your  feelings  must  be  somewhat  similar  to  my 
own — for  I  never  had  the  courage  to  tell  my  mother 
even  when  I  determined  to  join  the  Church. 

I  feel  confident,  Phil.,  that  you  have  fully  considered 
the  subject  in  your  own  mind,  and  feel  the  responsibility 
you  are  about  to  take  upon  you.  Never  of  yourself  can 
you  fulfil  your  obligations ;  but  seek  wisdom  and  strength 


340  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

from  on  high.  Pray  earnestly  to  God  for  the  outpouring 
of  His  Holy  Spirit  upon  you,  and  He  will  give  you  ability 
to  walk  a  holy,  consistent,  Christian  life,  letting  others 
see  that  you  have  been  with  Jesus.  And  that  God  will 
abundantly  bless  you,  and  make  you  one  of  His  own 
adopted  children,  is  the  prayer  of 

Your  sincere  friend, 

WM.  D.  STUART. 


[After  giving  some  account  of  his  visit  to  the  mines  of 
Wisconsin  and  to  Chicago,  he  closes  his  letter  under 
date  of  Mineral  Point,  June  24,  1859,  thus: — ] 

I  am  very  glad  to  hear  of  J.  M'A.  being  at  the  prayer- 
meetings.  I  have  always  felt  a  deep  interest  in  him, 
and  have  ever  remembered  him  in  my  prayers.  I  cannot 
but  think  that  he  too  will  be  brought  into  the  kingdom 
of  our  blessed  Saviour.  God  will  hear  and  answer 
prayer.  Influence  him,  dear  Phil.,  by  your  prayers  and 
example.  I  know  there  is  much  good  in  him,  though,  I 
fear,  deeply  hid. 

Remember  me  to  my  associates  in  our  Monday 
evening  prayer-meetings,  but  especially  to  the  Sabbath 
school,  to  the  teachers,  and  to  the  little  ones,  for  the 
welfare  of  whom  I  am  deeply  solicitous.  And  now,  that 
the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  that  good  Shepherd  of  the  flock, 
may  watch  over  and  preserve  us  through  life,  and  after- 
wards receive  us  into  his  kingdom,  is  ever  the  earnest 
prayer  of 

Yours  affectionately, 

WILL. 


LETTERS  TO  PHIL.  341 


ON  BOARD  STEAMER  "LADY  ELGIN," 
STRAITS  OF  MACKINAW,  July  13,  1859. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

Here  I  am,  away  upon  Lake  Michigan, 
nearly  two  thousand  miles  from  home,  and  bound  for  the 
Copper  Diggings.  But  perhaps  you  will  say,  "Where 
have  you  been  1  what  have  you  seen  since  you  last  wrote  1" 
Let  me  tell  you.  My  last  letter  was,  I  believe,  dated  from 
Mineral  Point.  Having  stayed  there  a  week,  we  took 
the  cars  for  Prairie  du  Chi  en.  The  same  evening  we 
went  on  board  the  splendid  steamer  "  Itasca,"  en  route  for 
St.  Paul.  For  an  hour  all  went  "  merry  as  a  marriage 
bell,"  when  suddenly  a  fearful  crash,  and  a  shaking  in  the 
upper  cabin  (for  you  must  know  that  the  upper  cabins  of 
these  boats  are  frequently  blown  off  and  float  down  the 
river,  much  to  the  dismay  of  those  on  board),  warned  us 
of  danger.  It  was  indeed  a  fearful  night.  One  who  has 
not  seen  it  has  no  idea  of  the  sublime  fury  of  a  Mississippi 
storm.  In  the  midst  of  this  we  struck  a  large  raft,  which 
carried  away  our  rudder  and  back  works,  crippling  us 
completely.  Fortunately,  we  were  near  an  island,  on 
which  the  boat  was  run,  until  damages  could  be  repaired. 

Next  morning  was  bright  and  beautiful,  and  never  did 
I  enjoy  anything  more  than  the  sail  up  the  Mississippi. 
As  we  entered  Lake  Pepin,  which  is  but  a  widening  of 
the  river,  the  first  object  that  attracted  my  attention  was 
the  "  Maiden's  Leap,"  where  the  fair  Winona,  who  had 
been  wedded  by  her  father  to  a  noble  chief,  but  who  loved 
another  and  an  humbler  man,  rather  than  marry  him 
who  was  not  the  chosen  of  her  heart,  on  the  eve  of  her 
marriage  cast  herself  from  the  lofty  crag.  The  story  is, 


342  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

as  far  as  I  can  learn,  true  ;  there  are  Indians  now  living 
in  the  neighbourhood  who  certify  to  it. 

With  St.  Paul  I  was  much  disappointed.  It  is  a  very 
wicked  place — judging  from  the  immense  amount  of 
gambling  and  number  of  drinking  shops.  Making  my 
stay  here  short,  I  went  up  to  Minneapolis,  where  I  spent 
a  week  delightfully.  I  saw  Minnehaha.  The  beautiful 
maiden,  daughter  of  the  arrow-head  maker,  chief  of  the 
Dacotahs,  alas  !  she  had  gone.  I  will  not  attempt  to 
describe  Minnehaha :  it  would  be  like  a  journeyman 
painter  attempting  to  copy  Raphael — a  stone  mason  to 
model  from  Michael  Angelo. 

Minnesota  is  a  grand  place — glorious  climate — splendid 
scenery.  Nowhere  can  you  drive  five  miles  without 
coming  upon  some  of  the  beautiful  lakes,  ranging  from 
5  to  25  miles  in  length,  and  about  half  as  wide.  People 
never  take  cold.  Doctors  call  the  climate  "  distressingly 
healthy."  I  sat  in  an  open  boat  all  day,  with  my  boots 
soaking  wet,  and  never  felt  worse  from  it.  We  are 
approaching  the  Sault  St.  Marie,  where  this  must  be 

mailed. 

I  am  truly  yours, 

WILL. 


1313  SPRUCE  STKEET, 
Monday  night,  January  30,  1860. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

Your  very,  very  welcome  note  I  received 
on  Sabbath  morning,  and  much  I  thank  you  for  it.  Also 
I  thank  you  for  your  warm  and  kind  congratulations  on 
the  return  of  my  dear  friends  from  their  travels.*  I  spent 

*  M.  and  her  sister  had  just  returned    from  Europe,  where   they  had  been 
travelling  for  eighteen,  months. 


LETTERS  TO  PHIL.  343 

about  two  hours  with  them  on  the  morning  after  their 
arrival.  They  went  up  to  Milton  to  see  their  dying  sister 
next  morning,  and  of  course  I  have  not  seen  them  since. 
M.  was  to  have  come  down  to-night,  and  if  she  did  I 
will  probably  see  her  to-morrow. 

Phil.,  I  feel  very  much  ashamed  of  myself  in  that  I  have 
apparently  neglected  you  so  long ;  but  I  trust  you  know 
me  well  enough  to  be  assured  that  it  arises  not  from  any- 
thing save  necessity.  I  love  you  as  I  ever  did,  and  ever 
will ;  and  I  trust  God  will  long  spare  us  both  to  become 
honoured  and  useful  members  of  society  and  of  His 
Church.  You  ask  me  if  I  am  tired  of  Sabbath  school  1 
Tired !  God  forbid.  I  love  it  more  than  ever,  and 
rather  than  shrink  back  from  the  work,  I  would  fain  seek 
out  some  new  channel  of  usefulness.  We  haven't  got 
long  to  stay  in  this  world,  Phil. — time  is  very  short — 
there  is  a  very  great  work  to  be  done,  and  there  are  few 
to  do  it.  God's  people  must  work — they  must  be  ever 
and  always  at  it.  There  rests  upon  me,  and  upon  all  of 
us,  a  solemn  responsibility.  I  feel  it — feel  it  deeply,  and 
I  am  not  happy  unless  I  am  at  work  for  Christ. 

And  now,  Phil.,  it  is  almost  midnight,  and  I  must  close. 
I  am  coming  to  see  you  some  evening  this  week,  if  at  all 

possible. 

Believe  me  ever 

Your  faithful  friend, 

WILL. 


March  7,  1860. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

Your  welcome  note  I  received  on  Monday. 
So  you  have  reached  the  years  of  manhood.     I  suppose 


344  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

on  the  eventful  morning  you  informed  your  parents  "  that 
a  man  got  into  the  house  last  night."  Accept  my  warm 
congratulations  on  your  coming  of  age.  Now  that  you 
are  your  own  master,  I  trust — I  am  sure — you  will  feel 
yourself  under  even  greater  obligations  to  pursue  the 
right  path  than  when  under  your  parents.  Although  we 
naturally  think  and  act  for  ourselves  for  some  years 
previous  to  our  majority,  still,  when  that  time  comes,  we 
cannot  but  feel  that  we  are  then  entirely  dependent  upon 
ourselves,  and  have  not  another  to  think  and  act  for  us — 
except  as  in  a  measure  a  "  wife  "  can.  We  are  exposed 
to  many  trials  and  temptations  ;  but  if  we  take  God  for 
our  Father,  Christ  for  our  Saviour,  and  the  Bible  as  our 
guide,  we  cannot  err.  Not  "  All's  well  that  ends  well," 
but  better,  All's  well  that  begins  well. 

Drop  me  a  line  and  say  what  evening  you  will  come 
round,  so  that  I  may  be  at  home. 

Faithfully  yours, 

WM.  D.  STUART. 


PHILADELPHIA,  March  14,  1861. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

Your  welcome  letters  came  duly  to  hand, 
and  would  have  been  replied  to  long  ere  this,  but  ever 
since  a  week  or  so  after  the  first  of  the  year,  when  I  was 
out  of  town,  I  have  been  confined  to  the  house  with  a 
heavy  cold  and  the  usual  accompaniments.  I  have  not 
been  in  bed  all  the  time>  being  able  now  and  then  to  go 
out  and  take  a  walk  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  This 
sickness  has  been  accompanied  with  great  nervousness, 
so  that  I  could  not  possibly  write  a  readable  letter.  To- 


LETTERS  TO  PHIL.  345 

day  I  feel  better  than  I  have  been  yet,  although  I  suffer 
much  from  blisters  on  my  breast.  As  soon  as  I  am  strong 
enough  I  will  go  away,  most  probably  to  my  favourite 
haunt,  Minnesota; — it  is  the  greatest  place  in  the  world 
for  sick  people. 

Our  Mission  School  comes  on  swimmingly.     We 

have  a  larger  school,  larger  prayer-meetings,  and  a  larger 
corps  of  teachers  than  ever  before.  On  New  Year's  Day 
we  had  our  Annual  Festival :  the  room  was  crowded,  not 
with  strange  children,  but  with  those  who  are  in  regular 
attendance,  and  with  our  friends.  The  children  were  fed 
until  they  could  eat  no  more,  and  they  took  the  rest 
away  in  their  pockets 

Well,  Phil.,  you  have  found  what  every  young  man 
finds  when  he  is  away  from  home  long  enough — that  there 
is  no  place  like  home.*  I  knew  you  would  be  home-sick, 
and  expected  to  hear  of  it  before  this.  Never  mind,  you 
will  soon  be  back,  and  it  will  make  you  love  your  home 
more,  and  value  it  more  highly. .... 

Faithfully  yours, 

WM.  D.  STUART, 


BLACKPOOL,  July  4,  1861. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

Ever  since  I  landed  I  have  been  trying 
to  get  time  to  write  you,  but  I  have  been  so  busy  that  it  was 
as  much  as  I  could  do  to  get  two  letters  per  week  written 
home.  Now  I  have  come  to  this  quiet  place  to  settle 
down  for  a  couple  of  weeks  and  enjoy  the  sea  breezes. 

*  Phil,  was  at  this  time  in  Cuba  on  business. 


346  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART, 

If  you  look  on  the  west  coast  of  England,  between  the 
River  Ribble  and  Morecambe  Bay,  you  will  see  Blackpool. 
It  is  a  delightful  watering-place,  where  you  can  be  as  gay 
or  as  sober,  as  lively  or  as  quiet  as  you  please.  The 
latter  suits  me  much  the  best,  as  my  object  now  is  health. 
I  have  been  to  London,  and  consulted  with  a  very 
eminent  physician  there.  He  says  I  am  perfectly  sound, 
and  need  have  no  fear  of  weakness  of  the  chest  or  lungs. 
He  has,  however,  directed  me  to  come  here  in  order  that 
I  may  have  the  swellings  on  my  neck  reduced ;  the  sea 
atmosphere  having  a  very  beneficial  effect  in  such 
cases. 

You  will  hardly  think  it  credible  when  I  tell  you  that 
I  have  gained  thirty-three  pounds  since  I  left  New  York ; 
yet  such  is  the  veritable  fact ;  and  with  the  exception 
of  my  breast  being  a  little  tender  from  frequent  blister- 
ings,  I  am  very  well  indeed. 

You  ought  to  be  here  in  the  evening  about  sunset. 
There  is  a  promenade,  or  "Parade,"  as  they  call  it,  extend- 
ing from  the  front  of  our  hotel  about  two  miles  down  the 
beach  :  at  this  time  it  is  crowded  with  girls,  very  pretty, 
for  England,  and  indeed  some  of  them  look  very  sweetly : 
they  have  fine,  clear,  healthy  complexions,  but  are  not 
so  beautiful  as  our  American  girls. 

To-day  there  is  a  grand  dinner  in  London,  given  by 
Americans  in  honour  of  the  4th  July.  I  had  an  invitation 
to  be  present,  but  declined,  not  being  very  bright,  and 
the  distance  too  great 

There  was  nothing,  dear  Phil.,  that  I  regretted  more 
on  leaving  home  than  not  seeing  you.  I  looked  every  day 
for  the  arrival  of  the  Quaker  City,  but  was  disappointed. 
It  seemed  rather  hard,  that  after  watching  to  see  you,  and 


LETTERS  TO  PHIL,  347 

expecting  you  day  by  day  for  two  weeks,  I  should  after 

all  be  disappointed 

Faithfully  yours, 

WM.  D.  STUART, 


[Shortly  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  his 
friend  Phil,  entered  the  Navy  as  an  engineer.  The  two 
letters  which  follow  were  written  him  while  attached  to 
the  Squadron  of  the  Gulf : — ] 

PHILADELPHIA,  January  31,  i86a. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

As  I  see  by  the  papers  that  a  mail  is  to 
be  made  up  to-morrow  morning  for  the  Gulf,  per  steamer 
Rhode  Island,  I  eagerly  embrace  the  opportunity  of  writ- 
ing you. 

Well,  old  fellow,  how  do  you  like  the  service  of  your 
uncle  Samuel?  Does  it  come  up  to  your  ideas,  and 
have  you  concluded  to  make  it  a  life-long  service  ? 

Everything  is  very  quiet  here.  Since  you  left  we  have 
had  our  Mission  School  Festival  and  Anniversary;  which 
passed  off  very  well.  Our  school  is  increasing,  and  God 
is  abundantly  blessing  our  labours.  It  makes  me  feel 
very  happy  to  see  the  fruits  of  our  labour;  and  yet  we 
have  to  be  very  careful  lest  we  become  proud  and  forget 
that  it  is  God,  and  not  ourselves,  who  has  done  this.  I 
am  becoming  more  and  more  impressed  with  the  necessity 
of  those  who  profess  Christ  doing  all  they  can,  and 
quickly  too,  for  the  promotion  of  His  kingdom 

You  know  that  I  can  speak  from  experience.  Let  me 
tell  you,  you  cannot  know  what  the  real  happiness  of  this 
world  is  until  you  have  the  entire  love  of  a  Christian 


348  MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

woman — one  to  whom  you  can  at  all  times  go  and  be 
sure  of  sympathy,  and  who  will  be  able  to  point  you  to  a 
comfort  above  that  which  the  world  can  give. 
May  God  bless  you,  is  the  prayer  of 
Yours  faithfully, 

WM.  D.  STUART. 


PHILADELPHIA,  April  2,  1862. 

DEAR  PHIL., 

Gulf  mails  are  such  irregular  things  that 
I  do  not  feel  like  waiting  for  an  answer  to  my  last,  but 
by  way  of  spending  a  pleasant  half  hour  and  curing  a 
headache,  will  write  again. 

I  have  not  been  as  well  as  when  you  saw  me.  The 
fact  is  I  do  not  get  enough  exercise  for  a  growing  boy, 
and  it  tells  upon  me.  I  am,  however,  just  on  the  eve  of 
purchasing  a  "gallant  steed;"  daily  rides  upon  which 
will,  I  have  no  doubt,  make  me  quite  my  antique  self 
again 

It  is  a  not  unfrequent  query  amongst  us,  "  Where  is 
the  Wissahickon?"*  Every  arrival  from  Ship  Island  1 
read  the  news  carefully,  and  see  mentioned  a  dozen  or 
two  other  vessels  of  which  I  never  heard,  but  never  hear 
of  yours.  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  turn  up  some  fine 
morning,  covered  with  glory,  (at  least  I  hope  so). 

Gough  was  here  last  month,  lecturing  for  the  benefit 
of  my  Mission  School,  and  we  netted  the  nice  little  sum 
of  $900. 

May  God  bless  you,  old  fellow,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of 
Yours  truly, 

WM.  D.  STUART. 

*  The  name  of  the  ship  on  which  he  was  serving. 


LETTERS  TO  PHIL.  349 

[On  receipt  of  the  sad  tidings  of  William's  death,  Phil. 
writes : — ] 

U.  S.  STEAMER  "JUNIATA," 
FORTRESS  MUNROE, 

To  MRS.  WM.  D.  STUART.  April  v,  1863. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

I  need  not  tell  you  how  shocked  and 

grieved  I  was,  upon  reading  the  paper  this  morning,  to  find  I  had  lost 
my  most  valued  friend.  Of  his  lovely  and  lovable  disposition  I  will 
not  speak,  for  you  know  that  full  well ;  nor  of  his  many  traits  of 
character  which  endeared  him  to  every  one.  My  poor  sympathy,  in 
this  hour  of  your  distress,  is  all  I  can  offer,  and  this  I  do  most 
sincerely. 

Willie  was  to  me  a  brother  in  affection,  and  a  true  friend  in 
counsel.  How  well  do  I  remember  his  many  pleadings  with  me,  in 
years  past,  to  turn  from  my  evil  ways  to  the  true  Light ;  and  though 
for  a  long  time  I  refused  his  advice,  so  affectionately  urged,  he  never 
lost  his  interest  in  my  spiritual  welfare.  And  when  at  last  I  resolved 
to  make  a  profession  of  religion,  he  was  the  first  to  bid  me  God- 
speed in  my  new  career.  We  have  not  lost  him,  but  for  a  season  ; 
for  although  removed  from  this  earth,  we  know  he  is  in  the  mansions 
of  the  blessed,  and  there  awaits  our  coming. 

May  God  bless  you  in  this  heavy  sorrow,  and  bind  you  more 
closely  to  Himself;  and  may  you  find  it  true  that  your  affliction, 
"  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  out  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
an  eternal  weight  of  glory. " 

Sincerely  your  friend, 

P.  H.  WHITE. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  DR.  WYLIE. 

T  is  natural  to  anticipate  the  death  of  the  aged.  The 
shock  of  corn  is  gathered  in  its  season.  The  leaves  of 
autumn  fall  Evening  has  come,  and  the  sun  sets  be- 
hind the  distant  clouds.  But  here  we  have  one  taken 
away  from  us  whose  bright  and  beautiful  morning  was 
just  opening  upon  him ;  whose  "sun  has  gone  down  while  it  was 
yet  day."  His  position  in  life;  the  associations  with  which  he  was 
connected;  the  near  and  tender  ties  which  had  so  recently  been 
established, — all  these  things  rendered  life  to  him  most  charming  and 
desirable.  He  felt  this.  And  we  might  consider  that  not  only  was 
it  proper  to  feel  it,  but  that  it  would  have  been  sinful  had  he  not 
recognized  the  Divine  goodness,  and  gratefully  desired  that  he  might 
still  have  lived  longer.  But,  while  he  had  this  desire,  it  was  in  sub- 
mission to  the  will  of  his  heavenly  Father ;  and  never  can  we  forget 
his  language,  when,  soon  after  he  had  been  informed  that  all  hopes 
of  his  recovery  were  gone,  after  remarking  that  he  would  like  to  live, 
yet  he  added,  "It  is  all  right.  I  would  have  desired  to  labour 
longer  for  Christ.  I  have  felt  as  if  there  was  still  more  work  for  me 
to  do;  but  I  trust  I  am  ready — I  hope  I  am  ready."  And  ere  we 
parted  with  him  on  that  occasion,  in  a  most  tender  manner  he  drew 
down  our  bended  head  to  his  lips  and  whispered  to  us,  "Oh,  pray 
for  me,  that  the  hope  I  have  may  be  upon  a  sound  foundation,  and 
that  it  may  be  well  with  me  at  the  last." 


354  APPENDIX. 

And  now,  while  it  is  natural  for  us  to  mourn  his  early  death,  we 
cannot  call  it  an  untimely  death.  The  question  is  not  how  long  a 
man  has  lived,  but,  how  well  has  he  lived ;  and  he  had  done  his 
work — he  had  secured  the  salvation,  we  have  every  reason  to  believe, 
of  his  own  soul,  and  he  had  done  good  service  for  the  cause  of  God 
his  Saviour.  And  therefore  we  may  feel  assured  that  he  was  ready  to 
depart,  and  that  he  has  gone  now  TO  BE  WITH  JESUS. 

There  was  very  much  in  the  character  of  our  departed  brother  to 
render  him  an  object  of  love  to  those  with  whom  he  was  associated. 
Naturally  he  was  warm-hearted,  generous,  frank,  and  ardent ;  and 
we  are  not  surprised  that  he  was  almost  idolized  by  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact  and  was  familiarly  associated.  He  was 
a  person,  too,  of  superior  talents ;  he  was  fond  of  the  pursuits  of 
literature  and  of  science,  and  we  believe  that  had  he  devoted  him- 
self to  these  objects  he  would  have  attained  to  eminence.  But  he 
had  higher  aspirations ;  and  those  things  which  to  many  are  but 
recreations  he  aimed  to  render  subservient  to  the  cause  and  work  of 
Jesus  Christ.  He  devoted  himself,  we  have  every  reason  to  believe, 
with  an  undivided  heart  to  the  service  of  the  Saviour."  For  him  to 
live  was  Christ.  We  know  not,  indeed,  at  what  time  he  may  have 
come  under  the  regenerating  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  but  in  early 
life  the  truths  of  religion  made  a  deep  impression  on  him.  When 
scarcely  fifteen  years  of  age  he  became  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath 
school  connected  with  the  congregation  to  which  he  belonged,  and 
afterwards  the  superintendent  of  another  school — a  mission  school. 
Some  might  have  supposed  that  from  his  extreme  youth  he  would 
have  proved  unfit  for  such  a  responsibility ;  but  he  manifested  that 
he  was  equal  to  its  performance.  I  do  not  remember  ever  having 
heard  of  one  so  early  in  life  occupying  a  position  such  as  this.  And 
yet  he  discharged  its  duties  so  faithfully  and  successfully,  that  there 
never  was  cause  for  anything  but  gratulation  that  he  had  undertaken 
them. 

He  gave  himself  thoroughly  and  fully  to  any  work  in  which  he  was 
engaged,  and  especially  to  the  work  of  instructing  and  benefiting  the 
degraded  and  neglected  ones  who  formed  his  mission  Sabbath  school. 
That  Sabbath  school  was  especially  near  to  his  heart.  He  men- 
tioned, when  he  was  about  to  depart,  that  he  desired  it  should  be 
most  prayerfully  attended  to  and  cherished ;  that  it  was  a  tree  he 


APPENDIX.  355 

had  planted  with  a  great  many  prayers,  and  he  looked  for  the  fruit 
to  grow.  Said  he,  "I  have  felt  that  God  was  not  going  to  take  me 
away  so  soon;  that  he  had  more  work  for  me  to  do.  I  have  felt 
since  I  was  a  little  boy  that  the  visitation  of  the  sick  was  my  work. " 
It  was  his  work,  and  now  it  remains  his  monument. 

It  was  about  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  life  that  he  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion.  It  was  a  period  of  revival  in  the  congre- 
gation, and  in  company  with  a  large  number  of  young  persons  he 
gave  himself  up  to  the  service  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  those 
who  witnessed  his  daily  conduct  could  testify  that  his  profession  was 
sincere  and  genuine ;  and  now  we  feel  it  to  be  our  duty  to  give  this 
testimony — that  he  was  one  who  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  his 
Saviour  by  a  walk  and  conversation  becoming  the  gospel. 

It  is  perhaps  two  years  since  the  anxious  love  of  friends  noticed 
that  his  health  was  declining.  Once  and  again,  and  a  third  time, 
he  left  his  native  land,  in  order  that  he  might  be  restored.  But  it 
was  in  vain.  All  that  kindness  and  love  and  the  best  of  skill  could 
do  were  of  no  avail.  He  came  home  a  few  weeks  ago,  in  order  that, 
surrounded  by  those  who  loved  him  so  well,  where  he  could  see 
their  faces  and  hear  their  voices,  he  might  say  to  them  "  FAREWELL," 
and  give  his  testimony  for  the  comfort  of  those  who  survived  him ; — 
he  came  home,  that  he  might  die. 

And  when  we  think  of  the  circumstances  connected  with  his  de- 
parture ;  when  we  think  that  life  was  so  attractive  to  him,  and  yet 
he  was  so  willing  to  go ;  and  when  we  think  of  his  sweet  composure, 
and  solemnity,  and  earnestness,  and  freedom  from  perturbation  and 
fear  of  every  kind,  and  his  joyful  anticipations  of  the  better  life — oh ! 
we  feel  as  though  those  who  have  been  bereaved  might  rather  to- 
day rejoice  than  mourn. 

May  not  these  parents,  whose  beloved  son  has  been  called  away  to 
heaven,  well  say,  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away; 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  ? "  Oh,  what  would  their  highest 
ambition  desire  for  that  dear  child  beyond,  above,  nay  equal  to  that 
he  has  now  attained  and  is  now  enjoying?  What  are  the  brightest 
crowns  of  earth  compared  with  that  crown  of  unfading  glory  he  is 
wearing  now  ?  All  their  anxieties  are  relieved.  All  their  fears  for 
his  future  are  dissipated.  He  has  entered  into  his  REST;  he  has 
obtained  possession  of  the  "inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled, 


356  APPENDIX. 

and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven  for  them  who  are  kept 
by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation. " 

And  may  not  those  from  whom  a  brother  has  been  taken  be  re- 
signed? Oh,  we  would  say  to  them,  to  each  one  of  them — "Thy 
brother  shall  live  again  ; "  nay,  he  is  living  even  now,  he  is  living  as 
really  as  when  he  was  on  the  earth — it  is  merely  a  change  of  place  and 
condition — his  existence  is  as  actual  and  his  enjoyment  is  far  greater. 

Oh,  then,  may  we  not  give  him  up,  when  God  has  called  upon  us 
to  make  this  surrender?  May  not  that  stricken  one,  who  has  been 
called  to  endure  a  loss  so  painful  as  this,  be  submissive  to  the  will  of 
Heaven?  "Thy  Maker  is  thine  husband,"  says  the  Lord  of  hosts. 
"As  thy  day  is,  so  shall  thy  strength  be."  "  I  will  never  leave  thee 
nor  forsake  thee."  More  treasure  than  ever  before  in  heaven,  and 
therefore  the  heart  more  there  also.  Oh,  what  bright  anticipations 
does  the  removal  of  those  we  love  to  a  better  land  present  to  us, 
when  we  think  that  after  our  brief  conflict  on  earth  is  terminated  we 
shall  meet  with  them  again  in  heaven  ! 

To  those  who  were  his  friends  and  associates  what  a  solemn  lesson 
this  providence  affords  !  Was  he  not  one  of  whom  it  could  be  said, 
he  acted  wisely  when  he  chose  that  "good  part"  that  should  never 
be  taken  from  him  ?  There  were  influences  which  might  have 
turned  him  in  other  directions ;  there  were  circumstances  which  might 
have  caused  him  to  make  a  different  choice;  but  he  chose  the  ser- 
vice of  God  his  Saviour — and  never  had  he  reason  to  regret  it.  And 
whatever  honours  he  might  have  attained,  whatever  position  in 
society,  whatever  name  among  the  eminent,  learned,  or  distinguished 
of  any  kind  might  have  been  his,  all  these  things  are  as  nothing 
compared  with  what  he  now  has.  If  there  be,  then,  those  asso- 
ciated with  him  who  have  not  made  a  similar  choice,  I  would  call 
upon  them  now  to  act,  and  to  act  wisely,  in  view  of  the  eternal 
world,  in  view  of  their  souls'  best  interests.  Let  all  be  admonished 
how  uncertain  and  unsatisfying  our  life  is.  Things  we  love  most 
tenderly,  the  object  of  our  dearest  affection,  may  be  torn  away  from 
us  at  any  moment.  Let  us  learn  to  set  our  affection  on  things  above, 
and  not  on  things  on  the  earth.  The  voice  of  God  speaks  to  you 
and  says,  "  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God."  It  is  not  those  who  are  far 
advanced  in  life,  who  anticipate  an  early  removal  from  the  world, 
but  the  youngest  here,  those  in  strongest  vigour  and  health,  should 


APPENDIX.  357 

take  warning  and  feel  that  they  may  be  called  away.  Oh,  may 
it  be  the  happiness  of  every  one  of  us,  when  -we  shall  be  separated 
from  those  we  love,  to  be  able  to  leave  behind  us  the  testimony 
of  our  dying  lips  to  the  steadfastness  of  our  faith  in  Christ !  May 
we  have  that  Saviour  to  support  us  whose  arms  of  love  alone  can 
uphold  us  as  we  pass  through  the  swellings  of  Jordan !  Let  us  con- 
sider that  we  must  some  time  or  other  grapple  with  Death,  enter  into 
conflict  with  the  king  of  terrors;  and  what  have  we  to  support  us  in 
that  hour  ?  Oh,  if  we  have  not  a  Saviour  we  must  perish ! 

God  grant  that  each  of  us,  admonished  by  His  word,  admonished 
by  His  providence,  may  choose  Jesus  as  our  Redeemer;  and  we  will 
then  find  that  this  God  will  be  our  God,  and  will  guide  us  even  unto 
death ;  that  He  will  guide  us  by  His  counsel  while  we  live,  and  that 
afterward  He  will  receive  us  into  His  glory. 

Happy  will  it  be  for  us  if  such  shall  be  our  condition. 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  DR.  BOARDMAN. 

I  SHOULD  not  have  ventured  to  add  even  one  word  to  the  excellent 
Address  we  have  just  heard,  had  I  not  been  providentially  present  this 
morning  at  a  scene  of  touching  interest,  closely  connected  with  these 
solemnities.  It  was  the  gathering  in  yonder  room  of  the  children 
and  adults  comprising  the  Coloured  Sunday  School  of  our  departed 
young  friend  around  the  remains  of  their  beloved  superintendent 
Very  affecting  it  was  to  witness  the  mute  sorrow  of  that  group  of 
mourners.  They  had  received  too  many  benefits  at  his  hands,  they 
knew  too  well  the  unselfish  kindness  he  had  lavished  upon  them, 
not  to  feel  keenly  their  great  bereavement ;  and  the  single  thought  I 
have  to  present  is  this  :  It  has  been  announced  that  the  college  class- 
mates of  our  friend  were  to  attend  his  funeral  I  take  it  for  granted 
they  are  present;  and  I  beg  to  point  these  young  men  to  the  scene 
I  have  described.  I  beg  to  say  to  you  that  the  silent  tears  of  these 
children  of  Africa  are  a  nobler  tribute  to  his  character  and  worth 
than  you  will  any  of  you  be  likely  to  secure  amidst  the  mere  earthly 
honours  of  the  most  eminent  professional  career.  I  cannot  answer 
for  those  around  me,  but  my  own  experience  supplies  no  parallel  to 
the  case  before  us.  I  recall  no  other  instance  of  a  young  man  born, 
like  William  Stuart,  to  fortune,  carefully  educated,  graced  with 
the  generous  culture  supplied  by  books  and  choice  companionship 
and  foreign  travel,  surrounded  with  all  the  amenities  of  social  life, 
and  cherished  with  admiring  affection  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends — 
such  a  youth  turning  away  from  the  blandishments  of  earth,  and 
selecting  as  the  sphere  of  his  activities  and  his  happiness  a  coloured 
mission  school  in  a  neglected  neighbourhood  of  a  great  city.  With 
such  vigilance  did  he  prosecute  this  work,  and  so  deeply  were  his 
sympathies  enlisted  in  it,  that  one  of  the  last  things  he  did,  before 
going  on  board  the  steamer  at  New  York  which  was  to  convey  him 
to  the  West  Indies,  was  to  sit  down,  in  his  weakness  and  sorrow  of 
heart,  and  write  a  long,  faithful,  and  affectionate  letter,  to  that  most 
interesting  charge,  pointing  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  and  entreat- 
ing them  for  Christ's  sake  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  Can  you 


APPENDIX.  359 

wonder  that  they  came  this  morning  to  take  a  sorrowing  farewell 
of  their  cherished  teacher  and  friend  ?  Or  can  you  wonder  that  I 
press  this  bright  example  upon  you  for  your  imitation  ?  I  speak  to 
you,  young  men,  "because  ye  are  strong."  Go,  follow  William 
Stuart,  as  he  followed  Christ.  Dedicate  your  strength,  your  time, 
your  honours,  and  your  lives  to  the  service  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 
On  every  side  there  are  fields  white  to  the  harvest.  Thrust  in 
your  sickles  and  gather  the  precious  grain  into  His  garner,  and  you, 
too,  will  hear  from  His  lips  that  heavenly  benediction,  "  Well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant ;  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 


360  APPENDIX. 


PRAYER  OF  REV.  DR.  BOARDMAN. 

O  LORD,  our  God,  who  is  like  unto  Thee  ?  Thy  wisdom  is  un- 
searchable, and  Thy  ways  past  finding  out  Thy  judgments  are  a 
great  deep.  We  bow  down  before  Thy  righteous  judgments.  Thou 
doest  Thy  will  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of 
the  earth;  and  none  can  stay  Thine  hand,  or  say  unto  Thee,  What 
doest  Thou  ? 

It  has  pleased  Thee  to  come  near  to  this  family,  and  sorely  to 
afflict  them.  Blessed  be  Thy  name  for  the  consolation  which  Thou 
hast  mingled  with  their  sorrows.  We  praise  and  magnify  Thy  name 
for  Thy  love  and  mercy  to  Thy  young  servant ;  for  all  his  gifts  and 
all  his  graces  ;  for  the  love  of  Christ  which  was  shed  abroad  in  his 
heart ;  for  the  fidelity,  watchfulness,  and  zeal  with  which  he  conse- 
crated himself  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  man.  We  bless 
Thee  that  in  Thy  good  providence  Thou  didst  permit  him  to  lead  a 
life  of  great  usefulness ;  and  we  pray  that  Thou  wouldst  cause  that 
' '  tree  "  which  he  planted  to  take  root  and  bear  fruit  unto  eternal 
life  ;  and  in  the  last  great  day  may  he  who  sowed,  and  they  who, 
coming  after  him,  shall  reap,  rejoice  together  in  a  glorious  harvest. 

O  Lord,  our  Father  in  heaven,  Thou  who  hast  afflicted  this 
family,  alone  canst  comfort  them.  Thou  art  leading  them  in  a  way 
that  they  knew  not  In  the  midst  of  affluence  and  prosperity,  of 
sweet  companionship  and  all  domestic  blessings,  Thou  hast  been 
pleased  to  bring  upon  them  the  shadow  of  a  great  sorrow.  Enable 
them  with  humble  and  steadfast  faith  to  lay  hold  upon  Thy  strength, 
that  they  may  be  supported.  Help  these  beloved  parents  to  say, 
Thy  will  be  done.  Enable  them  to  give  into  Thy  hands  the  son  of 
their  love,  whom  Thou  dost  love  even  more  than  they  loved  him. 
Enable  them  to  give  him  back  to  Thee,  with  all  his  gifts  and  all  his 
virtues,  feeling  that  it  is  a  precious  sacrifice  to  lay  upon  Thine  altar, 
and  grateful  to  Thee  for  all  Thy  goodness  and  loving-kindness  to 
him  and  to  them.  Bind  up,  O  Lord,  the  hearts  of  this  bereaved 
household.  Bless  these  sisters  and  these  youthful  brothers.  O  that 
they  may  have  the  teachings  of  Thy  Spirit;  that  they  may  be  drawn 
to  Christ  by  a  Saviour's  love.  May  they  follow  him  who  has  gone 


APPENDIX.  361 

as  he  followed  Christ,  and  so  be  prepared  for  a  blessed  and  eternal 
reunion  with  him  in  the  presence  of  God  and  the  Lamb. 

And  O  God  of  pity  and  of  grace,  here  is  one  other  stricken  heart 
before  Thee,  who  comes  with  nuptial  flowers  to  strew  them  upon  the 
grave.  Wilt  Thou  comfort  her  ?  Enable  her  in  patient  submission 
to  bow  to  this  afflictive  stroke,  rejoicing  in  all  the  love  she  has  given 
and  felt — rejoicing  still  more  in  the  precious  consolations  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  Enable  her  humbly  and  gratefully  to  feel  that 
union  to  Christ  is  an  immortal  union.  Enable  her  to  commit  her- 
self into  the  hands  of  that  Saviour  who  loved  him  who  has  gone 
with  an  infinite  love,  and  provided  for  him  in  his  Father's  house  a 
nobler  portion  than  earth  could  furnish.  May  Thy  everlasting  arms 
be  about  her.  May  Thy  divine  love  support  her.  And  may  she  be 
enabled  to  take  hold  of  the  promises,  which  are  all  yea  and  amen  in 
Christ  Jesus.  May  she  find  peace  in  believing. 

Look  in  mercy,  we  entreat  Thee,  upon  all  this  family  circle. 
Send  consolation  wherever  Thou  hast  sent  sorrow.  Impress  upon 
the  hearts  of  the  young  men  present  the  solemn  and  monitory  lessons 
of  this  providence.  Turn  off"  their  thoughts  from  this  empty  world. 
May  they  renounce  its  pomp,  and  pleasures,  and  honours,  for  the 
love,  and  praise,  and  service  of  God.  O  Lord,  draw  them  away 
from  the  enticements  of  earth  and  sin,  that  they  may  choose  that 
good  part  which  shall  never  be  taken  away  from  them. 

O  God  of  mercy  and  of  grace,  we  adore  and  praise  Thee  for  the 
love  which  Thou  hast  manifested  to  our  lost  world.  Here,  in  this 
house  of  sorrow ;  here,  gathered  around  the  dead,  we  praise  Thee 
for  the  great  love  wherewith  Thou  hast  loved  us  :  that  we  have  a 
Saviour  who  has  triumphed  over  death  and  hell ;  one  who  is  mighty 
to  save,  and  to  console  ;  one  who  is  preparing  His  people,  by  the 
discipline  of  His  providence  and  the  teachings  of  His  Word  and 
Spirit,  for  a  blessed  reunion  in  those  realms  of  light  and  glory  into 
which  sin  and  sickness,  sorrow  and  death,  shall  never  enter.  Here 
would  we  lay  the  tribute  of  our  praise  and  thanksgiving  at  our 
Saviour's  feet,  imploring  Thee  of  Thy  mercy  to  prepare  us  all  to 
stand  at  length  in  Thy  presence,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
clothed  with  the  righteousness  of  the  Redeemer,  and  accepted  in  the 
Beloved  ! 

Have  mercy  upon  us,  and  accept  and  save  us  in  Christ  our 
Saviour.  Amen. 


362  APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  ALBERT  BARNES 
AT  THE  GRAVE. 

AFTER  a  few  introductory  sentences,  expressive  of  joyfv!  triumph 
over  the  grave  opened  before  the  sad  group  of  mourners,  and  of  the 
manner  of  life  of  the  departed,  and  of  his  early  and  complete  con- 
secration of  himself  to  the  service  and  glory  of  Christ,  through  whom 
he  obtained  the  great  victory,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barnes  proceeded  to 
enforce  the  lessons  of  the  solemn  scene  upon  those  around  him. 

My  friends,  said  he,  preparation  for  usefulness  in  this  life,  in  its 
best  sense,  is  preparation  for  heaven;  and  the  fitness  for  usefulness 
which  he  had  while  on  earth,  through  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus,  was  a  fitness  for  a  higher,  a  heavenly  sphere.  That  which 
qualified  him  so  eminently  for  usefulness  on  earth,  was,  through  the 
grace  of  God  and  the  divine  purposes  of  mercy,  a  qualification  for 
an  entrance  among  the  angels,  and  among  the  redeemed  of  God, 
the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect.  That  which  bound  him  to  so 
many  Christian  hearts  here  by  the  ties  of  affection  and  love,  was 
the  same  which  now  qualifies  him  for  being  united  to  the  Redeemer 
in  heaven,  and  for  being  made  happy  through  everlasting  ages  ! 

I  regard  the  very  large  assemblage  gathered  together  in  the  house, 
and  this  large  concourse  around  this  open  grave  of  our  departed 
brother,  as  a  tribute  to  Christianity — as  an  expression  of  the  views 
cherished  by  those  assembled  in  regard  to  the  value  of  religion  in  a 
young  man.  Notwithstanding  all  that  there  was  in  his  birth,  his 
social  position,  his  prospects  in  life,  his  relations  to  the  world — 
however  worthy  of  attention  and  respect — yet  these  would  not  have 
drawn  together  this  assemblage  on  this  occasion.  It  is  because 
William  Stuart  was  a  Christian  young  man,  warm-hearted,  generous, 
full  of  love  to  God  and  love  to  man,  that  you  have  gathered  here 
to-day,  that  you  may  express  not  only  your  interest  in  him,  but  your 
regard  for  that  religion  which  he  commended  in  his  life  and  death. 
If  we  wish  our  friends  to  gather  around  our  grave  when  we  are  dead, 
we  must  show  in  our  lives  that  there  is  something  in  us  that  makes 
us  worthy  to  be  loved  while  living,  and  to  be  regretted  when  we  die. 


APPENDIX.  363 

We  must  live  for  other  purposes  than  for  ourselves.  We  must  look 
out  upon  the  world,  upon  our  suffering  fellow-men,  and  relieve  their 
burdens,  lighten  their  cares,  sympathize  with  them  in  their  trials,  if 
we  would  wish  them  to  come  around  our  graves,  and  drop  a  tear 
over  us  when  we  die. 

How  impressively  does  this  open  grave  speak  to  us  respecting  the 
shortness  and  uncertainty  of  life  !  It  will  not  be  improper  for  me  to 
say,  that  a  few  short  months  ago  I  pronounced  in  relation  to  him 
these  words,  "What  God  hath  joined  together  let  not  man  put 
asunder."  But  God  has  put  asunder  in  a  little  while  what  we  had 
joined.  His  hand  has  done  it.  There  is  consolation  in  the  reflec- 
tion that  His  grace  is  sufficient  to  sustain  and  to  comfort  all  these 
stricken  hearts  to-day. 

And  how  impressively  does  this  scene  speak  to  the  Christian 
young  men  here  assembled  !  There  are  not  a  few  young  men  here 
who  have,  like  Stuart,  devoted  themselves  to  the  service  of  God, 
Behold  now  what  is  the  value  of  religion  !  What  else  can  avail 
now  ?  What  in  life  could  be  of  value  to  him  now  in  this  grave  ?  It 
is  religion  that  imparts  consolation  to  us  as  we  weep  ;  religion  that 
receives  our  tribute  here  this  afternoon.  It  is  the  religion  of  Christ 
that  draws  us  here.  Oh,  let  us  cherish  this  religion.  Let  us  also 
imitate  Christ,  and  imitate  our  friend  as  he  imitated  the  Saviour.  As 
we  stand  here  let  me  entreat  you  to  remember  that  the  grave  is  before 
you ;  that  but  few  steps  are  left  for  any  of  us  to  take — but  few  for 
the  bright  and  healthy  young  men  around  me,  before  they  too  shall 
lie  in  the  cold,  silent  grave.  What,  therefore,  your  hands  find  to 
do,  do  it  with  your  might ;  for  there  is  no  wisdom,  nor  device,  nor 
knowledge  in  the  grave,  whither  we  are  going.  Bear  in  remem- 
brance, dear  young  friends,  that  whatever  may  be  regretted  on  the 
bed  of  death,  you  will  never  regret  that  you  devoted  yourselves 
early  to  the  service  of  God ;  that  you  practised  self-denial  and 
sacrifice  that  you  might  follow  that  Saviour  who  sacrificed  Himself 
for  you,  and  gave  His  own  precious  blood  that  you  might  live  and 
be  useful  and  happy  for  ever. 

Are  there,  in  this  large  assemblage,  within  the  reach  of  my  voice, 
any  who  are  unreconciled  to  God — who  have  no  religion,  no  faith  in 
Christ  ?  Oh,  let  me  entreat  you  to  look  at  this  grave,  and  to  remem- 
ber what  is  here  done.  Here,  I  entreat  you,  in  the  name  of  my 


364  APPENDIX. 

Master,  and  in  view  of  the  eternity  before  you,  to  give  your  youth- 
ful hearts  to  Christ.  I  entreat  you,  by  all  that  you  behold  to- 
day ;  by  the  last  look  that  you  will  cast  upon  the  coffin  of  your  dear 
departed  friend  ;  by  all  that  is  tender  and  sacred  in  religion  ;  by  all 
that  is  valuable  in  your  own  souls,  to  consecrate  yourselves  to  the 
service  of  the  Son  of  God.  Be  a  Christian  ;  live  a  Christian  ;  live 
so  that  you  may  die  a  Christian,  and  win  and  wear  a  bright  crown 
in  the  realms  of  eternal  blessedness. 

On  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Barnes'  remarks,  a  brief  and  impressive 
prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Suddards,  and  the  mourning 
train  of  sorrowing  relatives  and  friends  (though,  thanks  be  to  God, 
sorrowing  not  as  those  having  no  hope),  slowly  moved  away  from 
the  quiet  resting-place  of  the  dead. 


APPENDIX.  365 


CHILDREN'S    GATHERING. 

ON  the  afternoon  of  Sabbath,  April  I2th,  succeeding  the  death  of 
Willie,  a  meeting  of  the  Sabbath  schools  of  the  congregation  was 
held  in  the  church.  The  place  was  filled  by  a  very  large  and 
deeply  attentive  audience.  A  feeling  of  solemnity  pervaded  the 
entire  assemblage.  The  teachers  and  children  of  the  Coloured 
Mission  School  occupied  the  middle  aisle.  The  noticeable  attention 
given  by  the  latter  to  the  exercises  of  the  occasion  evidenced  that 
they  were  aware  of  its  solemn  nature  and  import.  It  needed  but  a 
slight  effort  of  memory  to  recall  the  appearance  of  him  who  had  so 
recently  been  their  superintendent,  as  on  the  anniversary  occasions  of 
the  schools  he  had  met  in  the  same  place  with  the  children  whom  he 
loved,  and  who  loved  him.  The  comparison  of  the  circumstances 
under  which  they  had  been  wont  to  assemble,  and  those  which  now 
called  them  together,  could  not  fail  to  sorrowfully  suggest  itself  to 
every  mind. 

After  appropriate  devotional  exercises,  the  following  Addresses 
were  delivered : — 

REV.  DR.  WYLIE'S  ADDRESS. 

My  dear  Children,  I  need  not  ask  you  to  sit  very  still  and  quiet  this 
afternoon.  Think  what  it  is  that  has  led  to  our  being  here.  It  is 
but  a  few  months  since  these  schools  were  assembled  in  this  place, 
but  under  very  different  circumstances.  One  was  then  among  the 
living  who  is  now  among  the  dead.  One  was  then  on  the  earth  who 
is  now,  we  have  every  reason  to  believe,  in  heaven.  One  then  was 
here  in  regard  to  whom  we  cherished  the  fond  expectation,  at  that 
time,  that  he  would  live  to  labour  among  the  beloved  children  to 
whose  welfare  he  had  devoted  himself.  But  he  has  gone  away  from 
us  on  earth  for  ever.  We  may  apply  to  him  the  language  that  was 
used  in  reference  to  the  Saviour — "He  is  not  here;  he  is  risen." 
The  voice  of  Christ  came  to  him  saying,  "Come  up  hither."  He 
has  left  the  field  of  his  usefulness  and  of  his  service  on  earth,  and  he 
has  gone  to  enter  upon  the  rest  remaining  for  the  people  of  God. 


366  APPENDIX. 

We  have  no  doubt  that  even  in  heaven  he  will  think  of  this  Sab- 
bath school,  which  was  his  special  charge.  We  have  no  doubt  that 
even  in  heaven  he  will  pray  for  it ;  for  we  believe  that  persons  who 
are  in  heaven  do  pray,  and  we  cannot  see  anything  wrong  in  sup- 
posing that  they  pray,  in  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  for  those  whom 
they  left  behind  them  in  this  world.  • 

Now,  my  dear  children,  I  feel  that  you  will  all  cherish  with  love 
the  remembrance  of  that  dear  young  man.  There  were  no  persons 
who  knew  him  well  who  did  not  love  him.  There  were  so  many 
amiable  traits  of  character  in  him,  that,  so  far  as  we  know,  he  won 
the  affection  of  all  with  whom  he  associated.  And  though  he  might 
have  turned  aside  to  the  enjoyments  which  wealth  and  position  in 
society  would  have  given  him,  he  chose  to  devote  himself  to  the 
service  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  have  no  doubt  that  if  he  did 
not  plant  the  seeds  of  disease,  at  least  he  hastened  the  result  by  what 
he  did  for  this  Coloured  Mission  School.  Think  of  the  Wednesday 
evening  and  Sabbath  evening  meetings,  which  he  attended  in  all 
kinds  of  weather; — no  matter  what  might  be  his  own  condition, 
he  was  sure  to  be  there.  Think  of  the  punctuality  with  which  he 
was  present  in  the  Sabbath  school ;  and  think  of  the  time  and  the 
toil  that  he  devoted  throughout  to  the  welfare  of  that  institution. 
And  then  remember  that  not  merely  did  he  give  and  labour  for  it, 
but  it  was  the  subject  of  his  most  earnest  prayers.  It  was  founded 
in  prayer.  Many  a  prayer  he  offered  for  it ;  and  when  he  was  about 
to  leave  this  world  that  Sabbath  school  was  among  the  last  things 
that  he  spoke  of;  and  he  did  not  leave  the  world  without  making 
arrangements  in  regard  to  its  future  management,  and  committing 
it  to  those  to  whom  he  thought  proper  to  confide  the  trust  Oh, 
then,  surely  we  must  feel  that  we  ought  to  cherish  his  memory. 

I  will  not  speak  much  more  about  it,  because  there  are  others  who 
will  refer  to  the  subject  more  at  length ;  but  there  is  another  thing 
which  I  have  to  say  this  afternoon.  Just  before  I  came  here  I  was 
by  the  bedside,  probably  I  should  say  the  dying  bedside,  of  one  who 
was  for  many  years  a  teacher  in  our  Sabbath  school,  and  who  had 
been  William  Stuart's  teacher.  He  gave  me  a  message  for  the 
school:  "Let  all  of  them  be  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
He  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all  my  desire."  He  was  very  weak.  He 
had  just  been  moved  in  his  bed,  and  was  exceedingly  exhausted,  and 


APPENDIX.  367 

could  not  say  much,  but  he  referred  to  William  Stuart,  and  men- 
tioned that  he  had  presented  many  a  prayer  in  his  behalf. 

And  it  occurs  to  us  here  to  mention  what  encouragement  there  is 
to  teachers  to  pray.  He  prayed  for  that  pupil,  and  for  other  pupils, 
and  observe  how  his  prayers  have  been  answered.  So,  my  dear 
teachers,  you  may  be  confident  that  if  you,  with  earnestness  and  sin- 
cerity, present  your  petitions  at  God's  throne,  you  will  find  that  God 
will  give  an  answer,  and  you  will  accomplish  the  great  end  and  aim 
at  which  you  are  striving — the  conversion  of  the  souls  of  the  dear 
children  who  are  to  live  for  ever,  either  in  eternal  happiness  or 
eternal  woe. 

And  now  remember,  dear  children,  that  there  should  be  this 
afternoon  a  most  solemn  and  earnest  attention.  For  my  own  part, 
I  do  not  know  that  I  have  ever  been  at  a  meeting  in  this  church  that 
has  affected  my  own  mind  with  deeper  feelings  of  solemnity  than 
this.  Personally,  I  loved  warmly  that  young  man,  and  I  respected 
him  and  admired  him  too,  and  I  would  have  rejoiced  if  God  had 
spared  him  for  longer  days  and  greater  usefulness.  But  he  is  taken 
away !  It  is  natural  for  us  to  mourn.  And  yet,  we  ought  to  be 
thankful  and  to  rejoice  that  we  feel  he  has  gone  to  heaven,  and  is 
now  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better.  I  hope  there  are  many  in  our 
Sabbath  school  who  will  follow  his  example.  I  hope  many  a  little 
boy  and  many  a  little  girl  will  try  to  follow  him  as  he  followed 
Christ ;  and  that  all  the  teachers  together  will  imitate  his  fidelity 
and  punctuality,  and  his  diligence  in  every  good  word  and  work. 

And  oh,  what  a  satisfaction  that  will  be  to  you  in  a  dying  hour  ! 
I  am  sure  that  there  was  not  the  least  regret,  when  he  was  about  to 
leave  this  world,  that  he  had  sacrificed  anything,  that  he  had  toiled 
and  laboured  in  the  cause  of  Christ ;  and  though  he  desired  to  live, 
the  reason  he  gave  for  his  desire  was,  that  he  might  do  still  more  for 
Christ.  He  was  not  weary  of  the  work — he  rejoiced  that  he  was 
permitted  to  engage  in  it. 

Now  sing  two  verses  of  the  23rd  psalm.  You  all  know  it,  my 
dear  children,  and  I  think  it  is  a  very  suitable  psalm  for  the  occasion. 
Let  every  one  sing  aloud  and  with  spirit. 

Dr.  Wylie  now  introduced  the  Rev.  Dr.  Faires  to  the  children, 
who  addressed  them  as  follows : — 

24 


368  APPENDIX. 

REV.  DR.  FAIRES*  ADDRESS. 

Dear  Children  and  Teachers,  the  Lord  has  seen  meet  to  call 
away  one  very  dear  to  us  from  his  work  on  earth  to  his  reward  in 
heaven.  We  have  therefore  met  together  to  express  our  sorrow 
that  we  shall  no  more  on  earth  see  his  face  or  hear  his  voice. 

But  we  must  mourn  with  submission  to  the  will  of  God.  If  a 
friend  has  lent  us  a  rare  jewel,  and  permitted  us  to  hold  it  in  our 
hands  and  admire  its  brightness  and  beauty,  when  he  reclaims  it, 
and  extends  his  hand  to  receive  it  from  us,  shall  we  strive  to  keep 
that  which  was  only  lent,  and  refuse  to  give  back  to  the  proprietor 
that  which  is  his  own  ?  The  friend  whose  early  death  we  lament 
was  such  a  jewel,  beautified  by  the  grace  of  God  with  holiness,  and 
bright  with  manifold  virtues.  Shall  we,  then,  repine  and  murmur 
because  the  King  of  heaven  has,  if  we  may  so  speak,  resumed  pos- 
session of  his  own  jewel  that  he  may  set  it  to  shine  for  ever  in  the 
crown  of  our  glorious  Redeemer  ? 

There  is,  moreover,  a  consideration  which  should  greatly  Alleviate 
our  sorrow.  Instability  appertains  to  the  things  of  earth.  The  most 
solid  and  costly  structures  crumble  into  ruin — the  brightest  colours 
of  the  most  exquisite  painting  become  faint — the  grass  withers — the 
flower  fades — the  rainbow,  the  beautiful  sign  of  God's  covenant, 
vanishes — the  sun  will  in  time  grow  dim,  and  the  very  heavens  will 
pass  away  with  a  great  noise.  Instability,  moreover,  appertains  not 
only  to  things  material,  but  extends  also  to  things  possessed  of  moral 
qualities.  Thus  human  character  so  frequently  changes  for  the  worse, 
that  concerning  those  we  deem  the  purest  and  best  of  men,  we  can 
never  be  certain  whether  they  will  continue  such  to  the  end  of  their 
lives.  How  often  in  our  experience  has  the  gold  become  dim,  and 
the  most  fine  gold  changed !  We  are  unable  to  read  men's  hearts, 
or  to  predict  the  end  of  their  course  from  ite  beginning,  or  to  know 
beforehand  what  is  written  in  God's  book.  But  when  the  good  and 
pure  have  persevered  unto  the  end ;  maintaining  consistency  of  char- 
acter ;  growing  constantly  in  holiness,  moral  strength,  and  usefulness ; 
yielding  in  increasing  abundance  and  variety  the  fniits  of  the  Spirit, 
and  becoming  more  and  more  like  Christ, — we  know  that  by  death 
they  are  removed  beyond  the  reach  of  temptation  and  the  possibility 
of  sin;  and  that  the  moral  excellences  which  they  exhibited  during 


APPENDIX.  369 

life,  purified  from  every  taint,  are  enstamped  indelibly  upon  their 
souls  as  their  character  for  eternity. 

Believing  such  things,  should  we  not  be  comforted  in  our  sorrow, 
and  rather  rejoice  that  our  departed  friend,  freed  from  all  imperfec- 
tion and  sin,  and  confirmed  in  holiness,  now  stands  a  beautiful  pillar 
in  God's  heavenly  temple,  to  go  no  more  out  ? 

But  without  dwelling  longer  on  such  topics,  I  proceed  to  the 
special  duty  assigned  to  me,  and  read  in  your  hearing  the  farewell 
letter  which  he  wrote  to  the  teachers  and  children  of  the  St.  Mary 
Street  Mission  School,  only  a  few  hours  before  he  embarked  for  a 
distant  island  seeking  restoration  of  health  : — 

NEW  YORK,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

MY  DEAR  TEACHERS  AND  CHILDREN, 

It  is  a  matter  of  the  deepest  regret  to  me  that  I  was  prevented  from 
meeting  with  you  on  last  Sabbath  afternoon  to  say  farewell.  It  was  not  because 
I  have  lost  my  interest  in  you — far  from  it.  Ever  since  I  was  privileged  to  or- 
ganize our  little  mission  it  has  been  an  object  lying  very  near  my  heart,  and  one 
for  which  I  have  daily  prayed.  Feeling  that  I  have  come  far  short  of  duty,  I 
nevertheless  do  feel  that  whilst  my  health  lasted  I  endeavoured  to  do  it.  God 
has  seen  fit,  in  his  all-wise  providence,  to  remove  from  me  this  blessing,  and  I  am 
now  about  to  leave  my  native  land  for  the  third  time  in  search  of  health.  It  is  a 
sore  trial  for  me  thus  to  be  laid  aside  and  deprived  of  the  delightful  labours  of  the 
Sabbath  school.  [The  speaker  read  this  sentence  again,  as  a  most  suggestive  one 
to  Sabbath-school  teachers.]  Though  absent  in  body  I  will  be  with  you  in  spirit, 
and  feel  sure  that  while  the  ocean  may  separate  us,  our  prayers  will  meet  before 
a  common  mercy-seat. 

To  you,  dear  teachers,  who  have  given  yourselves  to  this  self-denying  work, 
what  shall  I  say?  Your  work  is  most  solemn  and  important.  The  salvation  of 
immortal  souls  in  a  degree  depends  upon  your  efforts.  Be  diligent,  be  earnest, 
be  prayerful.  I  know  there  will  come  many  a  dark  hour,  when  all  entrance  to 
the  sinful  heart  seems  cut  off,  and  you  are  tempted  to  say,  "  Ephraim  is  joined 
unto  his  idols,  let  him  alone."  Remember  then  the  encouraging  words  of  the 
Lord  Jesus, — "  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of 
life."  "  He  that  turueth  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever 
andfever."  Let  these  words  cheer  you  in  your  noble  work,  remove  every  sadness, 
and  lighten  every  trial.  Remember  that  though  earthly  works  may  fade,  the  work 
ilone  for  God  it  fadeth  not.  May  God's  blessed  Spirit  be  ever  nigh  unto  you ;  and 
when  death's  short  way  is  passed,  may  you  every  one  receive  from  your  Saviour 
the  welcome  summons,  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant;  enter  thou  into 
the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

To  you,  children,  what  shall  I  say  ?  Love  your  teachers  ;  be  regular  and  punc- 
tual in  your  attendance  upon  the  school ;  be  respectful  and  obedient  to  him,  and 
love  your  superintendent ;  but  above  all.  learn  to  love  Christ.  For  this  purpose 


370  APPENDIX. 

this  Sabbath  school  was  opened  in  your  midst.  For  this  your  teachers  labour 
and  pray.  For  this  God  is  waiting.  As  I  have  often  told  you  when  in  your  midst, 
all  will  go  for  nothing  unless  you  give  yourselves  to  Christ.  Remember  life  is 
uncertain.  Death,  judgment,  and  eternity  are  before  you.  Choose,  then,  for 
yourselves  that  better  part,  which  cannot  be  taken  from  you.  Serve  God,  and  he 
will  not  forget  you.  Love  him,  trust  him,  and  he  will  be  to  you  a  pillar  of  cloud 
by  day,  and  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night,  guiding  you  safely  through  this  world's 
wilderness,  over  the  Jordan  of  death,  to  that  Canaan  of  eternal  rest, 

"  Where  the  anthems  of  rapture  unceasingly  roll, 
And  the  smile  of  the  Lord  is  the  feast  of  the  soul." 

And  now,  teachers  and  children,  FAREWELL  !  Be  perfect,  be  of  good  com- 
fort, be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace  ;  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be 
with  you.  And  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  ;  and  I  pray  God  your  whole 
spirit  and  soul  and  body  be  preserved  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

Yours  in  Christian  bonds, 

WILLIAM  D.  STUART. 

Children  of  the  St  Mary  Street  Mission  School,  you  know  in 
what  circumstances  these  words  were  written.  You  perceive  how  in 
his  weakness  and  weariness,  and  amid  the  confusion  and  many  distrac- 
tions attendant  upon  departure  from  home  for  a  long  absence,  your 
kind  superintendent  remembered  you  with  tender  solicitude.  Will 
you  not,  then,  yield  to  his  urgent  entreaty,  and  give  your  hearts  to. 
the  Saviour?  It  was  for  this  he  established  the  mission  school,  and 
brought  you  into  it.  It  was  for  this  he  prayed  and  laboured,  in 
summer  and  in  winter,  by  day  and  by  night,  in  health  and  in  sick- 
ness. It  was  for  this  he  wrote  the  affectionate  letter  to  which  you 
have  just  been  listening. 

If,  then,  you  appreciate  his  devoted,  self-denying,  and  incessant 
labours  for  your  good — if  you  remember  with  gratitude  his  many 
acts  of  kindness — if  you  fondly  cherish  his  memory — if  you  desire  to 
see  him  again — love  Christ.  Thus  you  will  secure  for  yourselves  the 
highest  possible  good — the  salvation  of  your  souls ;  thus,  and  only 
thus,  you  may  reasonably  hope  to  enjoy  the  high  happiness  of  at 
last  meeting  in  bliss  and  glory  the  redeemed  and  beatified  spirit  of 
your  departed  friend. 

Teachers  of  the  St.  Mary  Street  Mission  School,  note  well  the 
remarkable  sentence  in  the  letter  of  your  late  superintendent : — 


APPENDIX.  371 

"  It  is  a  sore  trial  for  me  thus  to  be  laid  aside  and  deprived  of  the 
delightful  labours  of  the  Sabbath  school."  Catch  the  spirit  of  these 
memorable  words;  imitate  the  noble  example  of  the  writer;  and  let 
your  labour  in  the  Sabbath  school  be  a  delight. 

And  bear  in  mind  that  in  your  efforts  to  elevate  the  degraded, 
instruct  the  ignorant,  and  guide  souls  to  the  Saviour,  you  are  imitat- 
ing the  still  higher  example  of  Christ,  who  left  the  glories  of  heaven 
for  the  humiliations  of  earth,  that  He  might  seek  and  save  them  that 
were  lost.  Labour,  then,  prayerfully,  lovingly,  hopefully,  constantly, 
that  you  may  be  instrumental  in  saving  lost  souls. 

The  souls  of  your  pupils,  saved  by  God's  blessing  bestowed  upon 
your  faithful  labours,  will  be  your  "crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  pres- 
ence of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coining." 


M  R.  GRANT  S  ADDRESS. 

"O  that  they  were  wise,  that  they  understood  this,  that  they 
would  consider  their  latter  end  !  "  (Deut.  xxxii.  29.) 

There  is  not  a  boy  or  girl  here  this  afternoon,  I  am  sure,  who  does 
not  remember  how  that  kind,  loving  Hebrew  mother,  took  her  little 
child,  and  with  tender  hands  laid  him  in  the  ark  of  bulrushes. 
You  remember  how  his  little  sister  watched  the  basket  as  it  floated 
among  the  flags  by  the  river's  brink;  how  afterwards  it  was  dis- 
covered by  Pharaoh's  daughter ;  and  how,  when  it  was  opened,  the 
child  wept  and  touched  her  royal  heart  with  sympathy.  You  remem- 
ber also  how  Miriam,  at  the  bidding  of  the  princess,  called  her  mother, 
and  how  it  was  given  back  to  her  fond  embrace,  that  she  might 
nurse  it  without  constant  dread  for  the  safety  of  its  life. 

You  all  know  that  this  little  child,  when  he  became  a  man,  was 
chosen  by  God  to  be  the  leader  of  the  children  of  Israel  from  the 
land  of  Egypt. 

It  was  he  who  stretched  forth  the  rod  when  the  Red  Sea  divided, 
allowing  the  people  to  pass  through  between  its  walls  of  water  safe 
to  the  other  side.  It  was  by  his  hand  the  rock  was  smitten  which 
sent  forth  water  from  its  flinty  sides.  For  forty  years  he  was  their 
faithful  leader;  but  because  of  his  rebellion  at  the  waters  of  Meribah, 


372  APPENDIX. 

he  was  not  permitted  to  enter  the  promised  land.  He  was  to 
behold  it  from  the  top  of  Mount  Nebo,  but  his  feet  were  not  to  tread 
upon  its  sacred  soil. 

Before  this  solemn  event,  however,  ere  the  old  man  was  gathered 
to  his  unknown  grave,  he  was  commanded  to  teach  the  children  of 
Israel  a  song,  that  after  he  was  gone  it  might  be  a  witness  for  the 
Lord  whom  they  had  forsaken ;  and  as  he  looked  upon  the  multitude 
igathered  before  him,  and  remembered  God's  countless  mercies,  their 
ingratitude,  and  the  striking  circumstances  connected  with  his  ap- 
proaching death,  he  uttered  the  language  which  I  have  used,  and 
said,  "O  that  they  were  wise,  that  they  understood  this,  that  they 
would  consider  their  latter  end  ! " 

That,  dear  children,  is  my  most  earnest  desire  at  this  time  for  each 
one  of  you ;  $nd  I  know  well  that  could  we  bring  back  the  beloved 
one  who  to-day  is  in  the  silent  grave,  he  would  express  the  same 
idea,  and  earnestly  long  that  every  child  beneath  this  roof  might  be 
a  possessor  in  early  youth  of  that  true  wisdom  which  alone  can  com- 
fort and  sustain  during  life,  and  in  the  dying  hour.  Nothing  can 
effectually  do  this  but  a  firm  resting  upon  the  blood  and  righteous- 
ness of  Jesus,  that  precious  Redeemer  on  whom  our  dear  friend  trusted 
while  he  lived,  and  as  he  was  passing  across  the  dark  river  of  death. 

What  a  foolish  thing  it  is  to  put  off  the  salvation  of  the  soul  till 
you  grow  up !  You  may  never  be  men  or  women.  I  suppose  you 
have  all  sometimes  looked  with  reverence  upon  an  old  man.  You 
have  seen  his  white  hair,  and  furrowed  cheeks,  and  trembling  hands, 
and  perhaps  have  said  to  yourselves  he  must  be  60,  or  70,  or  80 
years  old,  while  I  am  but  6,  or  7,  or  14  ;  and  as  you  think  of  the 
long  ygars  between  him  and  you,  you  resolve  that  you  will  wait  till 
you  are  as  old  as  he  is  before  you  prepare  for  death  and  eternity. 
Oh,  dear  children,  this  is  not  wise.  It  is  wise  to  seek  Christ  early, 
and  having  found  him,  be  prepared  to  die.  You  have  all  watched 
on  a  summer's  day  the  beautiful  butterfly  winging  its  way  in  the 
sunshine ;  some  of  you  may  have  cruelly  chased  it  as  it  fluttered 
from  place  to  place.  You  have  also  seen  the  busy  humming-bee 
plying  its  weary  task,  "gathering  honey  all  the  day  from  every 
opening  flower."  Both  seem  alike  to  be  enjoying  themselves,  but 
how  differently  are  they  occupied  !  the  one  lives  for  the  present,  the 
other  for  the  future;  and  when  the  storms  of  winter  are  sweeping 


APPENDIX.  373 

over  the  earth,  the  butterfly's  beauty  and  its  life  are  gone,  while  the 
careful  bee  is  safely  sheltered  and  provided  for  within  its  honied 
cells.  The  butterfly  is  a  striking  emblem  of  those  who  bestow  all 
their  thoughts  and  care  upon  the  perishing  body  and  the  fleeting 
things  of  this  world,  while  the  bee  illustrates  well  those  who  are 
anxious  about  the  immortal  soul  and  its  eternal  happiness. 

Oh,  dear  children,  hear  the  voice  of  God  in  this  mysterious  pro- 
vidence. It  is  very  hard,  indeed,  to  understand  why  he,  so  manly, 
so  noble,  so  vigorous,  so  full  of  Christian  earnestness  and  zeal, 
should  thus  be  stricken  down  in  early  manhood ;  but,  to  use  his  own 
words,  "It  is  all  right."  So  far  as  he  was  concerned,  he  felt  per- 
fectly satisfied  that  all  was  well.  The  flower  dies  ere  the  fruit 
appears;  the  seed  rots  in  the  ground  ere  the  root,  the  stem,  the 
branches,  the  fruit  is  seen :  even  so  may  it  be  that  in  the  death  of  him 
whose  loss  we  mourn  to-day  the  life  of  many  may  be  traced. 

In  the  early  removal  of  one  of  our  Sabbath  school  superintendents 
the  Lord  is  teaching  us  the  solemn  lesson,  that  the  day  of  labour  and 
of  grace  is  passing  away.  He  would  have  the  teachers  to  under- 
stand more  fully  the  necessity  of  working  while  it  lasts  ;  and  the 
children,  that  the  tongue  which  tells  them  of  a  Saviour's  love  may 
soon  be  silent  in  death. 

How  often,  dear  children  and  Christian  friends,  do  we  forget  our 
latter  end !  Whether  we  forget  it  or  not,  how  swiftly  is  it  approach- 
ing !  In  a  very  little  we  like  him  shall  die.  Oh,  that  when  the  hour 
of  death  comes,  when  the  shadows  of  this  life  are  departing  and 
eternity  stands  before  the  mind  as  a  great  reality,  when  we  feel  that 
the  cords  which  bind  us  to  earth  are  being  severed,  we  may,  as  he 
did,  be  able  to  say,  "  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth!" 

What  are  earth's  pleasures  at  this  solemn  hour  ? 

•'  Oh,  pleasures  past !  what  are  ye  now, 
But  thorns  about  ray  bleeding  brow  : 
Spectres  that  hover  round  my  brain, 
And  aggravate  and  mock  my  pain  ?  " 

It  is  not  so  with  the  pleasure  afforded  by  a  life  of  labour  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard.  Oh,  no  !  it  plants  no  piercing  thorn  in  the  pillow 
of  death. 

But  on  Monday  last,  a  few  hours  before  his  death,  I  said  to  him, 


374  APPENDIX. 

"  Willie,  I  am  sure  you  do  not  regret  now  that  you  have  laboured 
for  Christ. "  Gathering  his  remaining  strength  he  exclaimed  with 
remarkable  emphasis,  "  Oh,  no  ! — never  ! — never  ! " 

A  favourite  illustration  of  his  was  this :  In  a  certain  European 
town  there  once  lived  a  painter,  who  was  observed  by  those  who 
passed  his  little  studio  almost  constantly  seated  at  the  canvas. 
Being  asked  why  he  laboured  so  earnestly  and  continually,  he 
answered,  "  I  am  painting  for  eternity  !  "  Mr.  Stuart  was  the  only 
one  I  ever  heard  relate  this,  and  looking  back  from  this  point  upon 
his  short  and  useful  life,  one  cannot  but  conclude  he  lived  under  the 
same  impulse.  I  speak  not  this  to  pronounce  an  eulogy  upon  -the 
dead  ;  he  needs  no  eulogy  from  my  stammering  tongue — his  works 
praise  him.  Why  is  it  that  his  memory  is  so  precious  ?  Why 
is  it  graven  upon  my  heart  as  with  "an  iron  pen,  and  lead  in  the 
rock  for  ever  ? "  It  is  not  because  his  prospects  and  position  in 
society  were  bright  and  exalted,  but  because  he  was  an  active, 
earnest,  vigorous,  talented  fellow -labourer  in  the  cause  of  God. 

Brethren!  young  men  of  this  church  !  let  me  most  earnestly  call 
upon  you,  now  that  one  of  our  number  has  fallen,  now  that  that 
standard-bearer  lies  voiceless  in  the  dust,  to  buckle  on  anew  the 
Christian  armour,  and  work  for  Jesus  with  energy  while  the  day  of 
labour  lasts.  Let  us  support  our  Sabbath  schools,  not  with  a  feeble 
life,  but  vigorously  ;  let  us  labour  as  those  who  are  placed  in  this 
world  not  to  live  for  ourselves,  but  for  our  race,  and  for  God,  and 
for  eternity. 

Not  long  since  I  met  with  a  very  beautiful  incident  conveyed  in 
exquisitely  poetical  language.  The  writer  of  the  lines  represented 
himself  as  lingering  near  a  wayside  path,  on  a  quiet  summer's  eve. 
The  sun  had  just  gone  down,  and  all  nature  seemed  retiring  to  rest. 
His  attention  was  arrested  by  a  little  girl  returning  from  a  spring  of 
water  close  by,  with  a  well-filled  pitcher  upon  her  head.  She  was 
a  lovely  child:  her  hair  hung  in  graceful  ringlets  around  her  neck; 
the  pitcher  was  supported  by  her  tiny  hand ;  and  as  she  lightly 
tripped  along,  her  sweet  voice  filled  the  evening  air  with  a  joyous 
song.  A  little  plant  was  blooming  by  the  road-side — the  hot  sun  had 
caused  its  tender  flowers  to  droop ;  the  dear  child  noticed  it,  and 
stepping  aside,  she  lowered  the  pitcher  from  her  head,  poured  a  few 
refreshing  drops  upon  the  flower,  and  passed  on  to  her  cottage  home. 


APPENDIX.  375 

It  was  a  simple  act,  but  it  affords  an  admirable  illustration. 

We  are  travellers  passing  along  life's  highway.  If  we  are  God's 
children,  we  are  filling  our  pitchers  day  by  day  with  blessings  at  the 
never-failing  spring  of  His  boundless  mercy  and  love :  let  us  not  pass 
on  to  our  Father's  house  above  bearing  that  pitcher  erect  upon  our 
heads,  never  seeking  to  drop  its  refreshing  waters  upon  our  suffering 
and  sin-stricken  fellow-men  ;  but  let  us  lift  the  pitcher  of  salvation 
down  and  press  it  to  the  lips  of  the  perishing,  yea,  even  to  the  lips 
of  the  youngest,  humblest,  poorest  child,  and  tell  them  of  Jesus.  As 
that  little  flower  revived  when  the  water  fell  upon  it,  so  shall  they 
revive.  They  will  lift  up  their  eyes  towards  you  and  bless  you;  and 
far  more  than  even  the  blessing  of  them  that  are  ready  to  perish 
shall  be  a  glorious  entrance  into  that  peaceful,  happy  home, — 

''  Where  the  labourers  rest  for  ever 
"Mid  the  white-robed  angel  band." 

May  it  be  ours,  dear  friends,  to  imitate  the  example  of  dear 
William  Stuart.  May  God's  grace  fill  our  hearts  as  it  filled  his. 
May  we  be  inspired  with  like  earnest  desires  for  the  glory  of  God, 
and  whether  the  sun  of  our  life  goes'  down  while  it  is  yet  day,  or 
after  we  have  travelled  along  the  dusty  highway  of  time  for  a  long 
course  of  years,  it  matters  not ;  we  will  then  gather  our  feet  upon  our 
bed  and  die,  and  enter  upon  the  joys  of  eternity  and  the  fellowship 
of  beloved  friends  who  are  now  parted  from  us  by  the  hand  of  death. 

May  God's  richest  blessings  rest  upon  our  Sabbath  schools, 
especially  upon  that  one  which  Mr.  Stuart  loved  so  much.  Oh 
that  the  children  may  be  early  sheltered  beneath  His  wings  who  said 
of  Jerusalem,  "How  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  children 
together,  even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings!" 


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